French inflation edges up 1.7%

French consumer prices increased by 0.4% in March from the previous month and were up 1.7% on an annual basis, according to the latest figures from the state statistics institute INSEE.

Driving the monthly rise was increases in prices of food, clothing and shoes following the end-of-winter sales, and oil products. The institute said in March the prices of health products, transportation and communication services fell.

On the basis of the EU harmonised inflation index, French consumer prices were up by 0.4% in the month and by 1.9% on the year.

The core price index, which excludes volatile prices, showed no change in the month and an increase over 12 months of 1.6%, the same as in February.