The consumer price inflation in Cyprus rose again in July, recording 5.6% over July 2007, compared with 5.5% in June and only 2.4% in July 2007.

Rates above 7% were recorded in the prices of transport (8.6%); restaurants (8.5%); housing, water, electricity and gas (7.7%); and food and non-alcoholic beverages (7.4%).

Compared with the previous month, the index fell for seasonal reasons by 0.66 or 0.6% to 109.85. The Statistical Service reported that this was mainly owing to decreases in the prices of clothing, footwear and furnishings as a result of the summer sales.

Increases were recorded in the prices of petroleum products, electricity, certain fresh vegetables and pork.
For the period January-July 2008, the CPI recorded an increase of 4.9% compared to the corresponding period of 2007.