Buenos Aires City inflation edges higher to 1.8% ahead of INDEC data

Inflation rates in Buenos Aires City remained stable at 1.8 percent in September, marking a 0.1 percentage point rise from the previous month. This figure serves as a preliminary indicator for the national inflation rate expected to be released next week by the National Statistics Bureau (INDEC). Over the first nine months of the year, prices in the capital city have experienced a notable 23.7 percent increase and a 32.9 percent surge over the past year, according to data released by Buenos Aires City Hall’s IDECBA statistics institute on Thursday.

The city's inflation trend initially declined in August after surging to 2.9 percent in July, breaking a three-month streak of falling rates. However, in September, inflation climbed once more, primarily due to price hikes in several key sectors. These sectors included housing, water, electricity, gas, and other fuels (up 2.3 percent) and food and non-alcoholic beverages (up 2.1 percent).

Together, increases in these areas accounted for 64.9 percent of the total inflation jump. Food prices saw significant rises, especially for vegetables, tubers, and pulses (up 11 percent), followed by milk, dairy products, and eggs (up 1.9 percent), and meat and meat products (up 1.3 percent).

The data provides an early preview of the national inflation figure that will be announced by the INDEC statistical agency on Tuesday. Private-sector analysts anticipate an overall inflation rate close to two percent.