1.9 percent in January.

The slight rise was due to an increase in prices in the food, and rent sectors which gained 0.2 percent from January. Prices rose for onions, broccoli, cod fish, beverages, butter, turkey and roasting chicken. Prices also rose in the household goods, and the services and supply sectors of the index.

Meanwhile, prices in the transport sector fell a full percent in one month, mainly due to a 5.3 percent drop in airfare prices during February.

Prices in the tobacco and liquor sector fell 0.3 percent as the average cost of wines fell 1.2 percent month-over-month. Electricity costs also fell, sending prices in the fuel and power sector down 0.1 percent, as the fuel adjustment clause dipped 1.9 percent.

BUSINESS BUC