Vegetable prices are accelerating sharply, with tomatoes leading a broad-based surge that has pushed inflation for the group into double-digit territory.
Data from the Ministry of Statistics shows that eight out of 17 key items experienced double-digit price increases in May, a significant escalation from the previous month's figures.
78% and contributing to upward pressure on headline consumer prices.
The vegetable category, which includes tubers, plantains, and pulses, saw its inflation rate jump from negative territory to 4.3% in May, outpacing the broader food inflation rate of 4.78% and contributing to upward pressure on headline consumer prices.
The sharp rise in vegetable costs is likely to persist, according to market analysts, as supply constraints and seasonal factors continue to weigh on availability.
This development adds to the growing list of inflationary pressures facing consumers, who are already grappling with rising fuel costs that are beginning to feed through to food prices.
The combination of higher energy costs and volatile agricultural prices is creating a challenging environment for household budgets, particularly for low-income families who spend a larger share of their income on food.