Inflation falls to 2.4 percent

• Food and tobacco push down inflation
• Holidays cost more
• Dutch inflation still higher than in eurozone

According to figures released today by Statistics Netherlands, inflation in the Netherlands fell to 2.4 percent in April 2012. In March inflation was 2.5 percent.

Prices of food and tobacco in particular pushed inflation down in April. Prices in both these categories were higher than in April last year, but the year-on-year increase was larger in March.

Although the excise on tobacco was raised in April, stocks were still available for the old prices. Consumers will notice this increase only in the coming months.

Holidays had an upward effect on inflation. Prices of package holidays abroad  and accommodation in the Netherlands were substantially higher than in April last year.

Dutch inflation calculated according to the European harmonised method (HICP) also fell slightly, from 2.9 to 2.8 percent. According to Eurostat, inflation in the eurozone fell by 0.1 of a percent point to 2.6 percent. Inflation in the Netherlands is still higher than in the eurozone.