CONSUMER PRICES

Inflation in Spain rises as estimated as food prices soar 11%

A fresh food market in Palma. Photo: Pixabay.

Transport prices surged 14.9% from the last year and housing cost advanced 17.5%

Spain consumer price inflation accelerated as estimated in May, final data from the statistical office INE showed on Friday.

Consumer price inflation accelerated to 8.7% in May, as estimated, from 8.3% in April.

Excluding energy and fresh food, inflation rose to 4.9% in May from 4.4% in the previous month.

EU harmonized inflation climbed to 8.5% from 8.3% a month ago. The harmonized rate also came in line with the flash estimate.

Transport prices surged 14.9% from the last year and housing cost advanced 17.5%.

Prices of food and non-alcoholic beverages were up 11%.

Month-on-month

On a monthly basis, consumer prices grew 0.8%, in contrast to the 0.2% fall in April.

Similarly, the harmonized index of consumer prices gained 0.7%, reversing the 0.3% fall.

Both monthly consumer and harmonized prices rates matched preliminary figures.