Ethiopia's Central Statistics Agency projected that the price of food items will lower during the next three months. The Agency has also reported that the rate of inflation for the month of October has decreased to 34.2 percent, from the 34.8 percent the previous month.
During the month, the prices of rice, teff, and wheat have decreased a bit, in addition to meat, milk, dairy products, egg, and spices (mainly salt and red pepper) which have also shown a slight decrease in prices.
The inflation rate for food items has decreased by 1.3 percent compared to the previous month, the Agency's report related, while the inflation rate for non-food items has largely remained steady.
Picking on price trends during harvest season, the Central Statistics Agency predicts food item prices will be lower during the coming three months.
The local produce of food oil and butter have also exhibited a lowering in prices, while coffee and corn, as well as imported food oil, have been found to cost more than before.
The report attributed the high rate of inflation of non-food items to the rise in prices to items such as alcoholic beverages, tobacco, clothes, shoes, construction materials, household items, pharmaceuticals, and medical equipment, as well as jewelry.
Addis Ababa, Amhara region, Oromia region, as well as the Southern region have relatively steady prices compared to other parts of the country, the Agency pointed out.
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Source: ENA (Amharic)
