The elevated cost of food is keeping Germany’s inflation rate high, the latest government statistics have revealed.

Figures released today (11 July) by the country’s Federal Statistical Office – Statistisches Bundesamt – revealed inflation in June was 6.4% higher than 12 months earlier and up from 6.1% in May. The rate of inflation had slowed in the previous three months.

Food inflation remained high, at 13.7%, but was down from May’s figure of 14.9%.

In June, almost all food groups continued to be more expensive than a year earlier, the data showed. The price of dairy products rose 22.3% year-on-year, while the combined group of sugar, jam, honey and ‘other confectionery’ was 19.4% more expensive.

Vegetable prices were up 18.8% year on year, while bread and cereal products climbed 18.3%.

Bucking the trend were edible fats and oils, which were 12.1% cheaper than a year earlier.

The Statistisches Bundesamt also pointed to the lapping of government discounts on fuel and rail fares.

In June 2022, in a bid to counter rising energy prices, the German government cut taxes on fuel and introduced a reduced-cost public transport ticket, causing inflation to fall.

Statistisches Bundesamt president Ruth Brand said: “The inflation rate has thus picked up again after having weakened three months in a row.

“Food is still the strongest price driver. In addition, the federal government’s relief measures from 2022 – [the] €9 ticket ($9.90) and fuel discount – have a base effect that increases the current inflation rate.”

The German inflation rate in June, excluding energy and food, was 5.8%.