BM Desk : Bangladesh’s overall inflation rate eased slightly in October, driven by a decline in food prices, according to the latest data released by the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) on Wednesday.

The report shows that overall inflation stood at 8.17% in October, compared to 8.36% in September. Economists say the modest decline indicates some relief in consumer prices, although cost pressures remain high in non-food sectors.

According to BBS data, food inflation fell to 7.08% in October, down from 7.64% a month earlier, as prices of essential food items such as rice, vegetables, and edible oil saw slight corrections.

In contrast, non-food inflation increased to 9.13% in October from 8.89% in September, reflecting higher expenses in transportation, healthcare, and various service sectors.

Analysts note that while the easing of food inflation offers short-term comfort to households, the continued rise in non-food costs suggests underlying structural challenges, including higher import costs and persistent pressure on the taka.

They emphasize that controlling inflation sustainably will require careful monetary and fiscal coordination, along with measures to stabilize supply chains and reduce production costs.