November inflation edges up to 4.1%

• Both food and non-food categories record price increases 
• Core inflation remains unchanged at 3%

Headline inflation, as measured by the year-on-year (YoY) change in the Colombo Consumer Price Index (CCPI), increased marginally to 4.1 percent in November 2020, from 4.0 percent in October 2020. 

This was driven by the monthly increase of prices of items in both food and non-food categories. 

Meanwhile, food inflation (YoY) increased marginally to 10.3 percent in November 2020, from 10.0 percent in October 2020. Non-food inflation (YoY) also increased marginally to 1.6 percent in November 2020, from 1.3 percent in October 2020.

The change in the CCPI measured on an annual average basis remained unchanged at 4.6 percent in November 2020.The monthly change of the CCPI recorded at 0.4 percent in November 2020. This was due to the price increases observed in items of both food and non-food categories. 

Accordingly, within the food category, the prices of big onion, red onion and potatoes increased in November 2020. However, the prices of fresh fish and fresh fruits recorded declines during the month. 

Meanwhile, the prices of items in the non-food category recorded an increase during the month, mainly due to the price increase observed in the transport (bus fare) sub-category.

The core inflation (YoY), which reflects the underlying inflation in the economy, remained unchanged at 3.0 percent in November 2020. 

However, annual average core inflation declined to 3.2 percent in November 2020, from 3.4 percent in October 2020.