The inflation rate for food items and non-alcoholic beverages continued to rise in February, albeit to a lesser extent than the previous two months. Among food items, prices of fruits, vegetables, tubers and beans registered the highest monthly increases, while those of milk, eggs and meat increased marginally. Food prices increased despite the price ceiling programme put in place, amid a difficult macro‑economic situation, including the sustained weakening of the local currency. The programme, first introduced in March 2020 to curb rising prices amid the COVID-19 pandemic, has had its maximum price levels revised upwards twice since then in view of the increasing inflation and was extended until 15 May 2021.