TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – The consumer price index rose 1.54% in July, meaning less than 2% for the fourth month in a row, the government said Wednesday.

The July figure amounted to a rise from 1.36% in June mainly because of the impact of Typhoon Danas on the price of vegetables, eating out, and food products in general, per CNA. The increases are likely to persist and to be reflected in the inflation rate for August, according to the Directorate General of Budget, Accounting and Statistics.

The increase in vegetable prices in July compared to the same month in 2024 amounted to 5.72%, but that was relatively low because Typhoon Gaemi hit Taiwan in August last year. Comparing prices to June, the increase for vegetables was 15.87%, officials said.

The price of eggs had been declining for 18 months, but in July they became more expensive again. In combination with price increases for bread, pork, and chicken meat, food prices overall contributed to the index rise for the month.

While the storms and flooding in south Taiwan later in July are likely to keep inflation at the same level in August, the US tariffs for imports from Taiwan, provisionally set at 20%, are not believed to have any major influence on the consumer price index.