Taiwan: Inflation flattens in December
Consumer prices fell 0.50% in December from the previous month, up from the 0.61% decline logged in November. As in November, the decline was notably due to lower prices for vegetables and fruits amid an abundant harvest. It was furthered by a decline in the price of fuel and lubricants, and garments, which came on the back of the recent rout in crude oil markets and year-end promotions, respectively.
Inflation, meanwhile, was flat in December, down from 0.3% in November. Annual average inflation ticked down from 1.5% in November to 1.4% in December.
Core consumer prices, which exclude prices for energy, fruits and vegetables, were flat month-on-month in December, following November’s 0.15% month-on-month decline. Lastly, core inflation fell to 0.5% in December from 0.7% in November.