Prices of goods and services fell in the Maldives last month, official statistics have shown.
According to the latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) released by the Maldives Bureau of Statistics, prices fell by 0.09 percent in September compared to August this year.
The CPI, which tracks the average change in prices of goods and services, indicated that vegetables saw the largest decline, with prices dropping by 6.20 percent. While fish prices fell by 2.51 percent, motorcycle prices dropped 1.23 percent. Meanwhile, prices of dairy products and egg prices also saw a 0.49 percent decline.
The most notable price increase recorded during the month was in electricity, which rose by 3.42 percent, followed by fruit prices, which rose by 1.69 percent.
President Dr Mohamed Muizzu recently expanded the list of essential food items by adding 23 new products to the list. The government tasked the State Trading Organisation (STO) to ensure the availability of these goods in the market at affordable prices. STO is now selling these items, a move which is expected to help stabilise and sustain prices.