South Africa's consumer inflation rate rose to 4.6% in May, the highest level this year and 0.1 of a percentage point higher than the corresponding annual rate of 4.5% in April 2015.
On average, prices increased by 0.3% between April 2015 and May 2015, Statistics SA announced on Wednesday. The core inflation rate, which excludes food, non-alcoholic beverages, fuel and electricity costs, rose to 5.7% in May from 5.6% in April.
The food and non-alcoholic beverages index increased by 0.6% from April to May, while the annual rate decreased to 4.7% in May from 5.0% in April.
The components in the food and non-alcoholic beverages index contributing to the increase were fish (2.6%); bread and cereals (1.9%); other food (1.7%); sugar, sweets and desserts (1.3%); oils and fats (1.2%); cold beverages (0.9%); milk, eggs and cheese (0.7%); and hot beverages (0.1%).
The components which decreased were fruit (-4.6%) and vegetables (-1.4%).
The transport index increased by 0.3% between April 2015 and May 2015. The annual rate lifted to -0.7% in May from -1.1% in April.
