The department said the higher CPI in August was due to alcoholic beverages & tobacco by 19.7% and food & non-alcoholic beverages (up 3.5%).
CPI for the period January to August 2016 rose 2.3% from the previous corresponding period. The increase was led by increases in the main groups with high expenditure percentages: Food & non-alcoholic beverages (+4.2%) and housing, water, electricity, gas & other fuels (+2.6%). Other increases included alcoholic beverages & tobacco (+21.4%).
