The overall inflation in August eased, but still prevailed at a double-digit level for the second consecutive month.
The Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics recorded overall inflation at 10.49 per cent in the past month, down from 11.66 per cent in July.
The food inflation that spiked at 14.10 per cent in July dropped at 11.36 per cent in August, according to an update released by the bureadu on Sunday.
Despite the falling trend in food inflation, prices of many essentials still remained at an elevated level.
The prices of rice increased further at the kitchen markets in the capital during the third week of the past month as mill owners raised the rate showing the price hike of paddy.
The prices of vegetables, eggs and broiler chicken also increased on the market over the week.
The interim government that succeeded the ousted autocratic regime led by Awami League has reduced duties on import of onions, potatoes and pesticides to stabilise the supply of the essential commodities.
On August 5, finance, commerce and science and technology adviser Salehuddin Ahmed said that a quick fall in prices of all essential commodities was unlikely to happen.
He, however, said that there was noticeable fall in prices of some of the essential items, while talking to reporters at the finance ministry.
The statistical bureau update also showed that inflation was higher in rural areas than the urban areas.
Around 66 per cent of the population living in the rural areas faced overall inflation at 10.95 per cent in August, compared with 10.01 per cent inflation in urban areas the same month.
The double digit inflation in July and August puts the average inflation in the current financial year (July 2024鈥揓une 2025) at 11.07 per cent which is almost close to the average inflation of 11.15 per cent recorded in 2010鈥�11.
The prevailing double digit inflation is also higher than the wage rate growth recorded at 7.96 per cent in August.