Prices rise again in April in Catalonia, with inflation at 3.9%
Food is 12.2% more expensive than a year ago
Inflation rose again in Catalonia in April, reaching 3.9%, 8 percentage points higher than the month prior, according to figures released on Friday morning by Spain's statistics institute (INE).
Food products were 12.2% more expensive than a year ago but their cost is increasing at a slower rate as in March they were 14.6% more expensive.
The last month they did not go up at a higher rate was in August, at 12.1%
Inflation went up 0.5% compared to the month prior, as was the case in March.
According to INE, inflation is up because housing costs went down at a lower rate than they did a year ago.
In April the price of housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels was -9.2%, up from -12.9% the previous month.
Increased transport costs due to rising fuel prices also brought inflation up.
Clothing and footwear in Catalonia rose by 1.6% in April, a slighter increase compared to 3.2% in March.
Core inflation, which does not include energy or unprocessed food prices, fell to 6.6%, down from 7.5% in March.
Within Catalonia, inflation is 3.9% in Barcelona and Girona, 4.5% in Lleida, and 3.5% in Tarragona.
Over 92% of Catalans are concerned about inflation according to a study carried out by Nickel bank that also found that over 70% believe prices will continue rising.
Inflation in Spain stood at 4.1% in April, 8 percentage points higher than in March.