The 12-month moving average rate of inflation stood at 1.10 per cent in July, the National Statistics Office said.

In July, the retail price index went up by 0.13 per cent over the previous month. This primarily reflected an increase of 1.40 per cent in the transport and communications index, mainly due to higher prices of air fares and fuels.

A 1.19 per cent increase was registered in the food index, mainly on account of higher prices of fruit, vegetables and cereals. The housing index increased by 0.91 per cent, mainly as a result of higher prices of materials and services for the repair and maintenance of dwellings. The beverages and tobacco index increased by 0.36 per cent, mainly on account of increases in served non-alcoholic beverages.

An increase of 0.26 per cent in the water, electricity, gas and fuels index was due to a price rise in other fuels. The other goods and services index registered an increase of 0.20 per cent, due to a rise in the price of insurance policies. The household equipment and house maintenance cost index also increased by 0.12 per cent, mainly due to price increases in household appliances.

Seasonal sales were the main factor behind a decrease of 8.70 per cent in the clothing and footwear index. The recreation and culture index decreased by 0.16 per cent, mainly on account of lower prices of audio-visual equipment and books.