Inflation 1.0 percent in March

Inflation in the Netherlands fell to 1.0 percent in March. This is 0.1 of a percent point down on February, when the inflation was 1.1 percent. Inflation is measured as the change of the consumer price index compared with the same period twelve months previously.

The slight decrease in the inflation rate in March 2006 was mainly due to a decrease in the average price of fresh vegetables. In 2005 the March prices for fresh vegetables were considerably higher than in February. Flowers and plants were cheaper in March than in February. Since the price from March on February dropped more this year than in 2005, these items also contributed to a lower inflation rate.

To allow eurozone comparisons, inflation is calculated according to a separate harmonised method as well. According to this method Dutch inflation was 1.4 percent. In February it was 1.8 percent. Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union, estimates inflation in the eurozone at 2.4 percent in April. In March inflation was 2.2 percent.

Inflation