Prices of daily necessities, including rice, pulses, vegetables, fish, and meat, have risen sharply, resulting in a significant increase in food inflation in February.
According to the latest data from the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS), food inflation reached 9.30 per cent, the highest in nine months. In January, the rate stood at 8.29 per cent, indicating a 1 percentage point rise in just one month.
On a point-to-point basis, general inflation at the national level increased to 9.13 per cent in February 2026, up from 8.58 per cent in January.
However, despite this month-on-month increase, the current inflation rate remains slightly lower than the same period last year, when general inflation was 9.32 per cent in February 2025.
The food sector has seen notable price pressures compared to last year. In February 2025, food inflation was 9.24 per cent, while it has now risen to 9.30 per cent.
This increase reflects the higher costs of essential commodities, which have put additional pressure on household budgets.
Meanwhile, non-food inflation also rose slightly. In February 2026, it stood at 9.01 per cent, up from 8.81 per cent in January. Despite this monthly rise, non-food inflation remains lower than February 2025, when it was 9.38 per cent.
The upward trend in non-food inflation this month was driven by rising prices of items such as clothing, utilities, and other essential goods.
The BBS data indicate that while both food and non-food prices are rising, the most noticeable impact is in the food sector, where staple items such as rice, pulses, vegetables, fish, and meat have become more expensive.
Consumers have been feeling the effect of higher prices on daily expenses, which has contributed to the overall rise in inflation.
Overall, the general inflation rate in February 2026 at 9.13 per cent reflects the combined impact of rising food and non-food prices across the country.
While this is slightly lower than the 9.32 per cent recorded in the same month last year, the trend shows persistent upward pressure on household costs, particularly for essential goods.
