KATHMANDU: Nepal’s annual point-to-point consumer inflation reached 6.34 percent in the month of Bhadra. This marks a significant increase compared to the 1.87 percent inflation rate recorded during the same month of the previous year.

During the review month, inflation for the food and beverage category stood at 7.54 percent, while the non-food and service category saw inflation at 5.69 percent. In the corresponding period last year, the food and beverage category had experienced a negative inflation rate of 1.34 percent, while the non-food and service sector stood at 3.70 percent.

Under the food and beverage category, the annual consumer price index for ghee and oil rose by 16.68 percent, followed by fruits at 15.99 percent, sugar and sugar-related products at 12.14 percent, meat and fish at 7.34 percent, vegetables at 7.07 percent, and spices at 6.71 percent. In the non-food and service category, transportation costs increased by 12.77 percent, alcoholic beverages by 8.83 percent, clothing and footwear by 7.06 percent, furnishing and household equipment by 6.01 percent, and tobacco products by 5.45 percent.

Regionally, urban areas recorded an inflation rate of 6.19 percent, while rural areas saw a rate of 6.78 percent. By province, Madhesh Province recorded the highest inflation at 7.48 percent, while Sudurpashchim Province saw the lowest at 5.16 percent. The inflation rate in the Kathmandu Valley was 5.28 percent, compared to 6.89 percent in the Terai, 6.41 percent in the hills, and 5.69 percent in the mountains.

Separately, the annual point-to-point wholesale inflation reached 8.08 percent in Bhadra, compared to 2.10 percent in the same month of the previous year. During this period, the wholesale inflation for construction materials increased by 5.08 percent.