Oman’s annual inflation in February rose to 2.38 percent year-on-year. The increase in inflation was mainly due to a sharp 9.33 percent increase in transportation category and an over two percent rise in housing, water, electricity and fuel category compared to the prices for the same months in 2016, according to an Oman News Agency report.
Foods and non-alcoholic beverages category recorded a marginal price decline of 0.1 percent in February, while clothing and footwear prices fell by 0.37 percent. Health and communication categories also recorded decline in February prices by 0.13 percent and 3.02 percent, respectively.
The prices of tobacco products jumped by 23.23 percent in February, while furnishings, household equipment and routine household maintenance category prices went up by 1.86 percent. Education category experienced an inflation of 2.85 percent, while hotel and restaurants category pricer index increased by 0.3 percent.
In the foods category, prices for bread and cereals fell by 1.58 percent, while meat and fish and seafood prices rose by 0.22 percent and 7.09 percent, respectively. Fruits and vegetables prices also reported a decrease of 2.88 percent and 0.31 percent, respectively.
