Taiwan's CPI rises 1.6% in August: DGBAS

Taipei, Sept. 5 (CNA) Taiwan's consumer price index (CPI) rose 1.6 percent in August from a year earlier, slightly higher than July's 1.54 percent, data released by the Directorate General of Budget, Accounting and Statistics (DGBAS) on Friday showed.

The increase was mainly driven by typhoons and heavy rain, which pushed up vegetable, pork and dining-out prices, DGBAS specialist Tsao Chih-hung (曹志弘) said.

According to the DGBAS, inflation has still stayed below the local central bank's 2 percent alert level for four straight months.

Tsao said that food prices rose 3.18 percent overall in August, with dining-out costs climbing 3.34 percent. Rents, cram school fees and medical expenses also pushed service prices above 2 percent.

Core CPI, which excludes food and energy, rose 1.74 percent in August, the steepest gain in seven months, but remained under 2 percent for the 17th consecutive month.

Tsao noted that while dining-out prices have risen more than 3 percent each month since November 2024, commodity prices remain stable, and a freeze on electricity rates earlier this year has helped limit broader inflation.

Looking ahead, Tsao said September CPI is expected to remain under 2 percent, given stable weather forecast and a high comparison base from last year's typhoon.

He added that weaker global raw material prices and a stronger Taiwan dollar are likely to offset the inflationary impact of U.S. tariffs, helping keep domestic prices in check.