The inflation rate in the sultanate, measured by movement in the average Consumer Price Index (CPI), fell by 0.97% in April 2020 compared to the same month of 2019, according to the latest data released by the National Centre for Statistics and information (NCSI). 

According to the report, the inflation rate in April fell by 0.48% compared to March 2020. The food and non-alcoholic beverages group witnessed a price rise by 2.09%; health by 1%; education by 2.21% and restaurants and hotels by 0.92%. However, the prices of furnishings, household equipment, and routine household maintenance fell by 0.19% and those of housing, water, electricity, gas, and other fuels fell by 0.52%. Also, the price of transport, communication, and recreation fell by 6.54%, 0.13%, and 0.56%, respectively in April 2020 compared to the same month of 2019.  

The prices of miscellaneous goods and services also fell by 1.68%. Among foods and non-alcoholic beverages group, a marked rise was witnessed in the price of fruit, vegetables and meat by 13.67%, 5.07% and 0.79%, respectively. However, the price of bread and cereals, fish and seafood, milk, cheese and eggs, and oils and fats fell by 0.70%, 10.67%, and 0.91% and 0.62%, respectively. 

Non-alcoholic beverages, however, registered a price rise of 13.64% while those of clothing and footwear fell by 1.66% in April 2020 against the same period of 2019.