Dutch inflation at lowest level in 12 months

Inflation in the Netherlands fell to 2.4 percent in September, its lowest level in 12 months, the Dutch Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS) said Thursday. According to CBS figures, consumer prices in August and July were respectively 2.8 percent and 3.1 percent higher than a year before. In the last 10 years, Dutch inflation peaked in July and August 2008, both at 3.2 percent. The lowest was recorded in July 2009 at 0.2 percent. The drop in inflation in September 2013 was mainly due to lower clothing prices. Gasoline was also cheaper. In September 2013, one liter of unleaded gasoline was 1.76 euros (2.38 U.S. dollars) at the filling station, compared with 1.82 euros (2.46 U.S. dollars) one year before. Food prices also had a downward effect on inflation. Despite the fall, inflation in the Netherlands was still well above the average in the euro zone, which was 1.1 percent in September 2013.