​The Sultanate's year-on-year consumer prices for August 2017 touched 1.03%, driven by a rise in furnishings, household equipment & routine household maintenance group, education and housing, water electricity, gas and other fuels set, according to data released by the Centre.

The major cause of the prices rise was a 3.45%, rise in furnishings, household equipment & routine household maintenance group in August this year compared to the same period of 2016.Housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels witnessed 1.47% rise, while that of foods and non-alcoholic beverages rose 1.09%. Prices of clothing and footwear set rose slightly by 0.25% rise compared to August 2016, while education witnessed a 2.84% jump compared to the same period last year. While health prices rose by 0.39%, that of recreation and culture set went up by 0.33% in August this year compared to the same period of 2016. Communication set fell by 2.95% compared to prices last year, while transport prices rose 1.20% in August this year compared to prices in August 2016. In the food and beverages set, prices of fish and seafood turned costlier by 6.49%, of fruits by 3.48%, while that of vegetables saw a decline of 1.36%. Prices of breads and cereals turned costlier by 0.87%, meat by 0.40% and sugar and jams by 0.57% compared to August 2016. The prices of milk, cheese and eggs declined by 0.10%, that of oils and fats by 0.06% and that of non-alcoholic beverages increased by 0.09%, the data showed. There was also a rise in miscellaneous goods and services at 1.34% compared to the same period of 2016. Restaurants and hotels registered a 0.12% rise in August. The price of tobacco set saw 23.99% rise in August this year compared to prices during the same period in 2016, the NCSI data showed.

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