Consumer prices in Hesse rose by 2.7 percent in July compared to the same month last year, the State Statistical Office in Wiesbaden reported. In June, the rate had been 2.3 percent, and in May 2.6 percent. According to the office, the increase is mainly due to significantly higher energy prices – caused by the expiration of tax cuts for fuels at the end of June and the war in Iran.
Energy cost an average of 5.8 percent more in July than in the previous month. Prices for fuels (plus 12.3 percent) and heating oil (plus 9.3 percent) rose particularly sharply. Diesel increased by 14.6 percent, more than premium gasoline (plus 11.8 percent). Compared to the previous year, energy prices rose by 8.8 percent, heating oil by 37.7 percent, and fuels by 25.5 percent.
The tax cuts for gasoline and diesel of around 17 cents per liter applied from May to the end of June 2026. Dealers were not obliged to pass on the reduction. The price increase for diesel was stronger year-on-year at 29.9 percent than for premium gasoline (plus 24.4 percent).
Food, on the other hand, had an inflation-dampening effect: they cost only 0.7 percent more in July than a year earlier. “Thus, their prices rose significantly more slowly than consumer prices overall,” the office said. Particularly cheap were edible fats and oils (minus 12.6 percent), including butter (minus 22.8 percent) and dairy products (minus 6.2 percent).
Source: www.faz.net
