According to data released by the National Bureau of Statistics on August 9, China's consumer price index (CPI) rose 0.5% year-on-year in July 2026. Among these, urban areas saw a 0.5% increase, while rural areas recorded a 0.4% rise. Food prices fell 1.5%, while non-food prices rose 0.9%. Consumer goods prices increased by 0.2%, and service prices went up by 0.7%. For the first seven months of the year, the average CPI was 0.9% higher compared to the same period last year.

On a month-on-month basis, the CPI declined by 0.1% in July. Urban areas dropped 0.1%, and rural areas fell 0.2%. Food prices remained flat, while non-food prices decreased by 0.1%. Consumer goods prices declined by 0.6%, whereas service prices rose by 0.4%.

Year-on-Year Price Changes by Category

In July, prices for food, tobacco, liquor, and dining out fell 0.8% year-on-year, dragging down the CPI by approximately 0.22 percentage points. Among food items, meat prices dropped 6.0%, reducing the CPI by about 0.25 percentage points, with pork prices plummeting 13.3%. Dairy prices fell 1.5%, impacting the CPI by 0.02 percentage points. Fresh fruit prices decreased by 1.1%, affecting the CPI by 0.02 percentage points. Meanwhile, egg prices surged 14.4%, contributing 0.07 percentage points to the CPI increase.

Among the other seven major categories, six saw price increases year-on-year, while one declined. Specifically, prices for other goods and services rose 5.8%, healthcare increased 2.9%, clothing went up 1.4%, education and entertainment rose 1.3%, daily necessities and services increased 0.8%, and transportation and communication rose 0.4%. Housing prices, however, fell 0.3%.

Month-on-Month Price Changes by Category

In July, prices for food, tobacco, liquor, and dining out remained flat month-on-month. Among food items, meat prices rose 1.9%, contributing 0.07 percentage points to the CPI, with pork prices increasing by 4.1%. Fresh vegetable prices climbed 1.3%, adding 0.02 percentage points to the CPI. Fresh fruit prices fell 3.8%, reducing the CPI by 0.07 percentage points, while egg prices dropped 1.7%, decreasing the CPI by 0.01 percentage points.

Among the other seven major categories, three saw month-on-month increases, two remained flat, and two declined. Education and entertainment prices rose 1.0%, healthcare increased 0.8%, and daily necessities and services went up 0.4%. Housing and other goods and services prices were flat. Transportation and communication prices fell 2.2%, and clothing prices dropped 0.4%.