Food Prices Surge in Maldives Capital, Sugar and Coffee Hit Hard

Food prices, including sugar and coffee, have continued to rise in the Maldivian capital of Malé in November compared to the same period last year, according to the latest Essential Commodities Price Index (ECPI) released by the Maldives Bureau of Statistics. While month-on-month inflation for essential commodities declined by 0.69%, year-on-year inflation increased by 0.73%. Key categories such as beverages and personal care products also saw notable price hikes, with coffee prices surging by 8.97% compared to last year. The ECPI, a sub-index of the Consumer Price Index, tracks the prices of 96 essential items, including food, beverages, fuel, and personal care products, highlighting ongoing inflationary pressures in the region.