Taiwan: Consumer prices dragged lower in April
Consumer prices decreased 0.20% in April compared with the previous month, following March’s 0.45% dip. The fall was spearheaded by lower transport costs—predicated upon markedly lower fuel costs due to historically low oil prices—with food, education and housing costs also ticking lower in the month. Clothing prices, however, increased markedly in April, softening the overall decline somewhat.
Core consumer prices, which exclude prices for energy, fruits and vegetables, increased 0.33% lower in April in month-on-month terms, having decreased 0.04% in March.
In year-on-year terms, consumer prices declined 1.0% in April, having remained unchanged in March. Lastly, annual average inflation inched down to 0.5% from 0.6% in March.