February’s economic landscape witnessed a notable easing of inflationary pressures, primarily driven by significant price reductions across essential grocery categories. According to the latest data released by the National Bureau of Statistics, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) registered a 0.8 percent decline over the 12-month period ending February 2026.
The most substantial contributions to this deflationary trend came from the food sector. Meat and meat products experienced a pronounced 3.6 percent annual decrease, while bread and cereals saw prices drop by 1.3 percent. Non-alcoholic beverages demonstrated the most dramatic decline, falling 3.3 percent as soft drinks, mineral waters, and fruit juices became more affordable.
The comprehensive food index reflected a 0.8 percent year-on-year reduction, with five out of nine major supermarket categories recording lower prices. Fruit led the downward trend with an impressive 11.8 percent price reduction, followed by vegetables which decreased by 3.8 percent.
However, the report revealed contrasting movements within the food basket. While most categories declined, fish and seafood prices surged dramatically by 12.3 percent over the year. More modest increases were observed in dairy products, with milk, cheese and eggs edging up 0.5 percent.
Monthly data showed the CPI increasing marginally by 0.2 percent in February, following a substantial 1.9 percent drop in January. The monthly food index remained stable overall, masking divergent movements within categories where decreases in meat and bread prices counterbalanced increases in vegetables and seafood.
The latest statistics indicate that everyday grocery items continue to play a pivotal role in moderating inflation, despite persistent price increases in other economic sectors creating an uneven pricing environment across the economy.