The decrease in inflation of 0.02% for the first half of August is good news for consumers. However, in its annual comparison, inflation was 5.58%. A figure that is still well above Banco de México’s objectives of 3% (+/- 1%). In the same period of 2020, inflation was 0.24% biweekly and 3.99% annually.
Fruits and vegetables continue to rise
By components of the INPC, the underlying price index registered a fortnightly increase of 0.28% and 4.78%; for its part, the non-core price index fell 0.92% biweekly and showed an annual increase of 8.08%.
Within the underlying price index, at a fortnightly rate, the prices of merchandise grew 0.47% and those of services 0.06%.
Within the non-core price index, the prices of agricultural products rose 1.18% biweekly, while those of energy and tariffs authorized by the government fell 2.53% in the same period.
In particular, within the non-core price index, fruits and vegetables registered the highest increase, with prices 2.33% higher in the first half of August, compared to the last of July. Serrano chili, avocado and tomato had the highest fortnightly increases (26.78%, 8.98% and 2.49%, respectively).