KATHMANDU, Sept. 19: Consumer price inflation reached 5.96 percent in mid-August, the first month of the current Fiscal Year (FY), with food and beverage prices surging 6.77 percent and prices of non-food goods and services rising 5.52 percent.
The “Current Macroeconomic and Financial Situation of Nepal,” based on data for the first month of the FY, released by Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB), shows that year-on-year consumer price inflation more than tripled from 1.68 percent recorded during the same period of the previous FY.
In the review month of FY 2025/26, the price index of the food and beverages group had decreased by 2.28 percent, while that of the non-food and services group had increased by 3.95 percent.
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Under the food and beverages category, the price index of ghee and oil increased by 15.62 percent, fruits by 15.39 percent, meat and fish by 8.65 percent, vegetables by 6.90 percent, and spices by 4.80 percent between mid-July and mid-August this year.
Under the non-food and services category, the year-on-year price index of transportation increased by 13.17 percent, alcoholic beverages by 7.20 percent, clothing and footwear by 5.52 percent, and tobacco products by 4.97 percent.
During the review month, consumer price inflation in rural areas stood at 6.18 percent, compared to 5.88 percent in urban areas. Among provinces, Madhesh Province recorded the highest inflation rate at 6.94 percent, while Sudurpashchim Province recorded the lowest at 4.61 percent.
Region-wise, the Terai recorded the highest inflation rate at 6.64 percent.
Nepal’s consumer price inflation in the review month was 1.14 percentage points higher than India’s, which stood at 4.82 percent.
