TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – The consumer price index (CPI) fell through the 2% barrier to 1.95% in April, while inflation for household necessities fell into negative territory at minus 0.16% compared to the same month last year, the government said Tuesday (April 7).

Core inflation, without taking energy prices for energy, fruit, and vegetables into account, fell to 1.81%, according to the Directorate General of Budget, Accounting and Statistics (DGBAS). If discarding the impact of the Lunar New Year holiday, the CPI has reached its lowest level in nine months, per CNA.

During April, registration fees at some medical institutions and rates for household electricity rose, but the price of eggs, for example, fell by 20% from April 2023, when a shortage compelled the government to import.

The cost of a basket of 17 government-monitored household necessities was 0.16% cheaper than in April last year, in a rare case of a deflationary trend.