Dhaka:The food inflation rate in Bangladesh for October 2026 has dropped to its lowest point in 54 months, registering at 6.40 percent. This decline from 7.22 percent in September 2026 has provided some relief to consumers, with several essential food items experiencing a downtrend in prices.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the general point-to-point inflation rate stood at 8.27 percent in October, with food inflation at 6.40 percent and non-food inflation at 9.89 percent. The latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) data released by the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) highlighted that while food inflation decreased, non-food inflation hit a 41-month high.
In April 2022, food inflation was last recorded below the current level at 6.23 percent, whereas non-food inflation was previously higher in May 2023 at 9.96 percent. The current decrease in food inflation has offset the rising non-food costs, leading to a slight reduction in the country’s general inflation rate from 8.34 percent in September to 8.27 percent in October.
The CPI data also revealed that month-on-month, the overall CPI rose from 153.33 in September to 156.13 in October. Monthly inflation increased to 1.82 percent in October from 1.12 percent in September, indicating continued upward pressure on prices.
In rural areas, food inflation decreased to 6.37 percent from 7.18 percent, while rural non-food inflation rose to 10.21 percent from 9.57 percent. In urban areas, food inflation dropped to 6.42 percent from 7.25 percent, with urban non-food inflation increasing to 9.48 percent from 8.94 percent.
Md. Sahabuddin Sarker, Director (in-charge) of the National Accounting Wing of BBS, noted that the inflationary trends reflect current market dynamics. Prices for certain fish varieties, vegetables, and gold and silver have decreased, while prices for sea fish, certain legumes, household essentials, and fuel oil have risen, with fuel oil showing the most significant increase.
The CPI is compiled from data on 749 varieties across 383 items, with 242 being food and 507 non-food. Data is collected from 154 markets nationwide, encompassing metropolitan, district, and rural areas, and is gathered from 462 shops to produce a weighted national CPI.