A seasonal drop in the price of garments has led to a marginal drop in the Retail Price Index in June to 101.21 from 101.61 in May.

The National Statistics Office said that the drop primarily reflected a decrease of 2.66 per cent in the clothing and footwear index. The recreation and culture index also saw a downward movement of 1.19 per cent, mainly due to lower fees for television services.

Cheaper prices for fruit and potatoes caused the food index to go down by 0.80 per cent. The household equipment and house maintenance cost index dropped by 0.13 per cent, mainly on account of lower-priced household appliances.

The other goods and services index rose by 0.21 per cent, mainly on account of price increases in some jewellery items.

Higher airfares caused the transport and communication index to increase by 0.18 per cent.

The personal care and health index went up by 0.14 per cent, mainly brought about by higher fees for medical services.

In June, the 12-month moving average rate of inflation stood at 0.74 per cent, whereas the annual rate stood at 1.39 per cent.