Commodity prices stable in Male in March
The ECPI data showed that overall inflation recorded limited movement during the month.
Commodity prices in Male’ remained stable in March, according to the Essential Commodities Price Index (ECPI) released by the Bureau of Statistics.
The ECPI data showed that overall inflation recorded limited movement during the month. Prices increased by 0.18 per cent in March compared with February. On a year-on-year basis, prices rose by 1.33 per cent compared with March 2025.
The average ECPI in the city stood at 116.29 in March. The index measures price changes across 96 commodities, including food, beverages, fuel, and personal care items.
Food prices declined during the month. The ECPI recorded a decrease of 0.89 per cent compared with February. This was driven by a fall in fruit prices of 14.71 per cent and a decline in vegetable prices of 0.71 per cent.
However, fish prices increased by 8.33 per cent over the same period. Prices of oil and fats also rose by 1.60 per cent.
The fuel segment recorded the highest monthly increase. Prices rose by 12.48 per cent in March. Gas prices increased by 12.28 per cent compared with the same period last year.
The beverages segment recorded a rise of 1.17 per cent during the month. Within this category, coffee and coffee substitutes increased by 6.68 per cent. On a year-on-year basis, coffee prices rose by 14.30 per cent in March.
Prices of personal care products increased by 0.24 per cent compared with February. Since the beginning of the year, prices in this segment have risen by 3.13 per cent.
The ECPI serves as an indicator used to monitor movements in basic commodity prices.
