2026.03.1219:35:46UTC+00Argentina Inflation Rises More Than Expected

Consumer prices in Argentina increased by 2.9% month-on-month in February 2026, matching January’s 2.9% rise and exceeding market expectations of a 2.7% gain. Price growth accelerated in recreation and culture (2.3% vs. 1.0% in January) and in housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels (6.8% vs. 3.0%), while easing in restaurants and hotels (3.0% vs. 4.1%) and in communication (1.8% vs. 3.6%). Transportation prices rose at a slightly faster pace (2.0% vs. 1.8%), and clothing and footwear stabilized after a decline (0.0% vs. -0.5%). Alcoholic beverages and tobacco saw a softer increase (0.6% vs. 1.5%), whereas prices for home equipment and maintenance accelerated (2.6% vs. 1.8%). Food and non-alcoholic beverages registered slower price growth, at 3.3% compared with 4.7% in January. On an annual basis, consumer prices were up 33.1% in February, edging higher from 32.4% in January and extending the modest reacceleration in inflation that followed the disinflationary trend earlier in 2024.