Prices of food and nonalcoholic beverages went up 4.44 percent (5.64 percent in April) and cost of housing and utilizes increased at a slower 1.97 percent (2.05 percent in April). Cost of restaurants and hotels recorded the highest increase (4.52 percent from 4.82 percent in April) and transport prices went up 3.21 percent (2.9 percent in April). In contrast, communication cost fell 10.34 percent (-11.44 percent in April).
On a monthly basis, consumer prices fell 0.5 percent, following a 0.26 percent drop in April.
The core index, which strips out some volatile food and energy prices rose 0.12 percent on the month, bringing the annual rate to 2.33 percent, from 0.16 percent and 2.31 percent respectively in April.