At 3.36 per cent May inflation, the rate at which prices increase, remained stable in Belgium according to figures from the Belgian economy ministry. For the first time since March last year, food inflation is on the rise again.
In March, inflation still stood at 3.18 per cent rising to 3.37 per cent in April. Inflation based on the health index stands at 3.20 per cent this month, up from 3.28 per cent in April and 3.09 per cent in March.
Food inflation stands at one per cent in May, up from 0.25 per cent in April. Food inflation peaked at 17.02 per cent in March last year.
Fruit, clothing, rent, foreign travel, pubs and restaurants, fish, seafood, meat, milk and dairy products, alcoholic beverages and stays at holiday villages became more expensive this month compared to last month. Motor fuels, electricity and vegetables became cheaper.
Compared to a year ago, fresh seafood is 32 per cent more expensive today, and olive oil 26.4 per cent. Potatoes are 17.5 per cent more expensive today than a year ago. All kinds of video equipment and televisions, in turn, are 15.2 per cent cheaper than a year ago, as are smartphones - down 14.3 per cent. Pizzas and quiches (-8.6 per cent) also became cheaper compared to May last year.