Egypt's Annual Headline Inflation Reaches 13.1% in March

Egypt's annual headline inflation rate surged to 13.1% in March 2025, up from 12.5% in February, marking the first increase in six months, according to the Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics (CAPMAS). 

The rise in inflation was primarily driven by significant price hikes in essential sectors. The food and beverages sector saw a 6.5% increase, with sharp rises in the prices of cereals and bread (+8.1%), meat and poultry (+1.3%), fish and seafood (+6.2%), and fruits (+76.7%). Housing, water, and utilities experienced a 17.4% surge due to rising rents and utility costs. The healthcare sector also saw a 25.5% increase, largely driven by higher medical product and service costs, while transportation prices rose by 29.5% due to increased vehicle purchase costs.

Additionally, telecommunications prices increased by 11.4%, influenced by rising postal service costs. The monthly inflation rate also spiked by 1.5% in March compared to February, with the consumer price index reaching 250.6 points.

The inflationary surge, compounded by global market instability and the recent U.S. tariffs, leaves little room for the Central Bank of Egypt (CBE) to cut interest rates in their upcoming Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting on Thursday, April 17th.