KATHMANDU:- The year-on-year (y-o-y) consumer price inflation stood at 3.62 per cent in mid-March 2026 compared to 3.75 per cent a year ago. 

According to current microeconomic and financial situation report of Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB), food and beverage inflation stood at 3.60 per cent whereas non-food and service inflation stood at 3.63 per cent in the review month.

During the same period in the previous year, the price indices of these groups had increased by 3.34 per cent and 3.97 per cent, respectively.

The average inflation stood at 2.13 per cent in the eighth month of the current fiscal year compared to 4.72 per cent a year ago.

Under the food and beverage category, y-o-y price index of vegetable sub-category increased by 11.49 per cent, ghee and oil by 9.86 per cent, and fruit by 9.63 per cent.

However, y-o-y price index of pulses and legumes sub-category decreased by 3.66 per cent, cereal grains and their products by 2.18 per cent and spices by 2.03 per cent.

Under the non-food and services category, y-o-y price index of miscellaneous goods and services sub-category increased by 22.81 per cent, education by 7.46 per cent, alcoholic drinks by 4.77 per cent, clothes and footwear by 4.73 per cent and tobacco products by 3.57 per cent.

However, the y-o-y price index of insurance and financial services sub-category decreased by 0.03 per cent.

During the review month, y-o-y price index in rural areas increased by 3.06 per cent, while in urban areas, it rose by 3.82 per cent.

Based on provinces, in the review month, y-o-y consumer price inflation in Koshi Province is 3.96 per cent, Madhes 4.95 per cent, Bagmati 3.31 per cent, Gandaki 2.87 per cent, Lumbini 4.21 per cent, Karnali 2.21 per cent, and Sudurpashchim 2.25 per cent.

In the review month, y-o-y consumer price inflation in the Kathmandu Valley, Terai, Hill and Mountain region stood at 3.64 per cent, 4.11 per cent, 3.11 per cent and 2.83 per cent respectively.

The y-o-y wholesale price inflation stood at 3.64 per cent in mid-March 2026 compared to 4.43 per cent a year ago.

The y-o-y wholesale price inflation of consumption goods decreased by 4.44 per cent while intermediate goods and capital goods stood at 8.54 per cent and 3.51 per cent respectively.

The y o-y wholesale price index of construction material increased by 0.21 per cent in the review month.