Higher non-food prices push up inflation

Source: Focus Bangla file photo

A grocer’s at Shantinagar Bazar in the capital.

The overall inflation rose by 0.15 percentage point to 7.50 percent in January mainly due to a hike in non-food prices.

The inflation rate was 7.35 in December last year.

Food inflation reduced by 0.19 percentage point and stood at 8.81 percent in January while non-food inflation increased by 0.65 percentage point to reach 5.53 percent, according to a statistic of Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS).

The prices of the food item came down in January as the country's political situation has improved a little, said BBS Director General Golam Mostafa Kamal while release the data today.  

On the other hand, the non-food inflation has rose due to delay in supply following the political turmoil, he added.