PARIS, Sept. 30 (Xinhua) -- France's consumer price index (CPI) is expected to surge 3.0 percent year on year in September, up from 2.4 percent in August, according to preliminary data released on Wednesday by the National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies (INSEE).
In its provisional estimate, INSEE said the rise in inflation was mainly driven by higher energy prices, particularly petroleum products and gas.
Service price inflation was expected to edge up, partly because the seasonal declines in accommodation and transport service prices would be less pronounced than in September 2025. Food prices were also projected to accelerate, particularly fresh produce, while the year-on-year decline in manufactured goods prices was expected to ease. Tobacco prices were projected to increase at the same pace as in August.
On a monthly basis, consumer prices were expected to fall 0.3 percent in September, following a 0.7 percent increase in August. The decline was mainly attributed to the seasonal decrease in service prices after the summer period, particularly transport and accommodation services.
The decline was expected to be offset by rising energy prices, mainly petroleum products and gas. Food prices were projected to increase for the third consecutive month, while tobacco prices were expected to remain stable from August.
The Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices, used for comparisons across the eurozone, was expected to climb 3.4 percent year on year in September, up from 2.6 percent in August. ■
