Headline inflation, which has drifted upward to double-digit figures for the past 15 monthes, edged down to 10.6pc.

The rate, which is considered an indicator of the cost of living, fell for the fourth consecutive month. The inflationary pressure of the previous month, measured by twelve general indices, was recorded at 11.5pc. At the beginning of this fiscal year, the rate was 14pc, much higher than the average rate two years ago.

The latest consumer price index, measurement of the average change in the price paid by consumers for a fixed basket of goods and services, shows that food inflation in the stated period reached 12.4pc, while non-food inflation registered at 8.6pc, a respective 0.3 and 1.4 percentage point slide compared to the previous month.

The government aspires to arrest inflationary pressure to single digits. However, the rate jumped to double-digits last fiscal year, contrary to the preceding year when the inflation rate was less than eight percent on average.

Though the average rate is 10.6pc, the highest rate was recorded in Harari Regional State, which had 16.1pc inflationary pressure. The lowest rate was recorded in Afar Regional State with 5.8pc. The capital had a 10.5pc inflation rate, almost the same as the national average.

The prices of bread, maize, barley, rice, teff, sorghum, meat, milk, cheese, eggs, butter, pulses and spices slightly decreased, according to the Agency, which has sampled a total of 119 marketplaces for the retail price survey.

Meat has shown the highest price increase with a 17.9pc rise.

The rise in inflation in the non-food component is mainly due to a rise in the price of clothing, footwear, housing repair and maintenance, especially corrugated iron sheets and door frames, cement, energy, charcoal, household goods and furnishings, transport, healthcare and food and beverages, according to the report.