Food still fuelling inflation

In February 2008, average consumer prices were 1.1 per cent up compared to January and 6.9 per cent higher than in the same month of 2007. Food prices were up by 0.8 per cent compared to January. 2008. Food prices increased at a higher than average rate of 12.6 per cent in the 12 months since January 2007. The most significant price rises were that of flour (54.1 per cent), cooking oil (49.1 per cent), pasta (23.9 per cent) and milk (23.4 per cent). The prices of alcoholic beverages and tobacco rose at a slower than average rate.