Thailand’s headline consumer price index rose 2.82 per cent in September from a year earlier, driven by higher fuel and food costs across the country.

The annual increase stepped up from 2.53 per cent in August but fell short of the 3.06 per cent rise projected in a Reuters market poll.

Data released by the Ministry of Commerce on Tuesday showed the headline print remained within the Bank of Thailand’s official target range of 1.00 per cent to 3.00 per cent. Core consumer prices, which strip out volatile fresh food and energy expenses, climbed 1.50 per cent year on year against a forecast of 1.54 per cent.

Nantapong Chiralerspong, head of the ministry’s Trade Policy and Strategy Office, told a briefing that headline inflation will accelerate further in the fourth quarter. Officials expect the pace of price gains in October to exceed the September reading as seasonal patterns and distribution costs take effect.

Recent regional flooding will have only a minor effect on consumer pricing across agricultural supply chains, Nantapong said. Taking flood damage into account, the ministry narrowed its full-year 2026 inflation forecast to a range between 1.80 per cent and 2.20 per cent, compared with an earlier projection of 1.50 per cent to 2.50 per cent.

For supermarket chains, convenience operators and food service groups in Thailand, the pickup in food and energy expenses tests gross margin buffers. Retailers face higher transport overheads while consumer demand remains sensitive to basket price increases at fresh markets and grocery aisles.

Source link