Core inflation fell four tenths, to 2.9%

MADRID, 14 May. (EUROPA PRESS) –

The Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 0.7% in April compared to the previous month and raised its interannual rate by one tenth, to 3.3%, due to the rise in gas and food prices, according to the final data published this Tuesday by the National Institute of Statistics (INE), which confirms those advanced at the end of last month.

Specifically, the price of food and non-alcoholic beverages expanded its year-on-year increase in April to 4.7%, four tenths more than in March, due, for the most part, to the rise in fruit prices, and legumes and vegetables.

With the increase in the interannual CPI in the fourth month of the year, inflation is chaining two consecutive months of increases after the four tenths by which it rose in March. The rebound in April places inflation very close to the levels with which the year began (3.4%).

Core inflation (without unprocessed food or energy products) fell four tenths in April, to 2.9%, a rate four tenths lower than the general CPI and its lowest rate since January 2022. It is also the first time in almost two years in which core inflation is below the general CPI rate. Specifically, this situation has not occurred since November 2022.

In monthly terms (April over March), the CPI increased 0.7% after raising the prices of clothing and footwear for the new spring-summer season (7.1%), accommodation services and food in “almost all its components”, highlighting fruits, legumes and vegetables, meats and fish and seafood.

With the monthly advance in April, the CPI is chaining its fourth consecutive monthly increase and registers one of the highest increases since January 2023. However, the advance in April has been one tenth lower than in March (0.8%).

In the fourth month of the year, the Harmonized Consumer Price Index (IPCA) placed its interannual rate at 3.4%, one tenth more than in March. For its part, the monthly variation of the IPCA was 0.6%.