Inflation in Europe falls more than expected to 2.4%

The European Central Bank will meet on April 11 (AP)

The inflation that has squeezed European shoppers fell more than expected in March to 2.4%, as cost spikes in the grocery aisle eased and overall price rises headed down in the two biggest economies, Germany and France.

The annual figure for the 20 countries that use the euro currency came in below the 2.5% predicted by financial markets and brings the European Central Bank (ECB) ever closer to its inflation goal of 2%.