Inflation in basic commodities rose to 1.9 percent due to high prices of food and cosmetics, according to the latest data released by the Maldives Bureau of Statistics.

The second issue of the Essential Commodity Price Index (ECPI) showed year-on-year inflation of 1.9 percent. Month-on-month prices rose 1.1 percent.

Prices of food, beverages and cosmetics rose, while prices of gas and other energy products fell. The biggest increase was in cosmetics (4.3 percent).

Year-on-year, overall food prices rose but vegetable prices fell 6.3 percent. The largest price increase was in fruits (10.2 percent).

Coffee and similar beverages had inflation of 8.22 percent and fruit and vegetable juices 6.9 percent.

The Bureau of Statistics publishes the ECPI to facilitate early detection of changes in prices of basic commodities.