The consumer price index of Hanoi in March declined 0.22 percent over the previous month but increased 2.7 percent over the same period last year.

 

Major reason for the drop is a reduction in prices of three goods groups - food and catering services; housing, electricity, fuel and construction materials; and transportation. 

 

Lower demand after the traditional New Year festival in February and warmer weather with abundant supply of farm produce pulled the prices of food and foodstuff down. Meanwhile, lower gas prices also led to a fall in the prices of housing, electricity, fuel and construction materials.

 

A fuel price cut also made the price of transportation lower.

 

The average index in the first three months of this year rose 2.54 percent over the same period last year. An upturn was seen in 10 groups of goods and the only one experienced a fall.-VNA