Taiwan: Inflation picks up in March
Consumer prices fell 0.62% in March from the previous month, contrasting the 0.99% rise registered in February. The print was largely due to seasonal effects from the Lunar New Year holiday. Notably, the price of nursing care and nursery services fell back to its habitual level after a customary surge during the holiday period, while the prices of entertainment and diverse food items also decreased, mirroring comparable rises in the prior month.
Inflation meanwhile increased from 0.2% in February to 0.6% in March, and annual average inflation ticked down to 1.0% from 1.1% in February.
Core consumer prices, which exclude prices for energy, fruits and vegetables decreased 0.71% month-on-month in March, contrasting January’s 0.89% rise. Lastly, core inflation inched up from 0.3% in February to 0.5% in March.