China CPI Rises 1.3% YoY in February 2026 as Food Prices Climb

China's consumer price index (CPI), a key gauge of inflation, increased 1.3% year-on-year in February 2026, reflecting moderate price growth driven largely by food and services.

According to the latest data, urban consumer prices rose 1.4%, while rural prices increased 0.9% compared with the same period last year. Food prices climbed 1.7%, and non-food prices rose 1.3%. Meanwhile, consumer goods prices increased 1.1%, while service prices advanced 1.6%.

For the January–February period of 2026, China's CPI averaged 0.8% higher than the same period a year earlier, indicating relatively stable inflation in the early months of the year.

On a month-on-month basis, consumer prices rose 1.0% in February. Prices in urban areas increased 1.0%, while rural prices edged up 0.7%. Food prices gained 1.9%, compared with a 0.8% rise in non-food prices. In addition, consumer goods prices rose 0.8%, while service prices increased 1.1% from the previous month.

Food Prices Drive Year-on-Year CPI Growth

In February, prices for food, tobacco, alcohol, and catering services increased 1.4% year-on-year, contributing approximately 0.41 percentage points to the overall CPI increase.

Within the food category, fresh vegetable prices surged 10.9%, contributing about 0.19 percentage points to CPI growth. Aquatic product prices rose 6.1%, pushing CPI up by around 0.11 percentage points, while fresh fruit prices increased 5.9%, adding roughly 0.12 percentage points.

However, some food items recorded declines. Egg prices fell 2.9%, reducing CPI by about 0.02 percentage points, while livestock meat prices dropped 2.7%, cutting CPI by roughly 0.11 percentage points. Among these, pork prices declined 8.6%, contributing approximately -0.17 percentage points to CPI.

Across the seven other major categories, prices recorded five increases and two declines year-on-year. Other goods and services prices surged 15.4%, while household goods and services rose 2.8%, and education, culture, and entertainment prices increased 2.0%.

Meanwhile, clothing prices and healthcare prices each rose 1.9%. In contrast, transportation and communication prices declined 0.7%, while housing prices slipped 0.2%.

Month-on-Month CPI Supported by Food Price Increases

From a monthly perspective, prices for food, tobacco, alcohol, and catering services rose 1.4% in February, contributing about 0.40 percentage points to CPI growth.

Within food categories, aquatic product prices increased 6.9%, contributing approximately 0.13 percentage points to CPI. Fresh fruit prices rose 4.0%, adding about 0.08 percentage points, while livestock meat prices climbed 2.6%, contributing roughly 0.11 percentage points.

Among meat products, pork prices rose 4.0%, contributing around 0.07 percentage points to CPI growth. Egg prices also increased 1.3%, pushing CPI up by about 0.01 percentage points.

Across the seven other major consumption categories, prices recorded five increases, one unchanged category, and one decline month-on-month. Other goods and services prices rose 2.3%, transportation and communication prices increased 2.2%, and education, culture, and entertainment prices gained 1.6%.

Meanwhile, household goods and services prices edged up 0.2%, and healthcare prices rose 0.1%. Housing prices remained unchanged, while clothing prices dipped slightly by 0.1%.

Overall, February's CPI data highlight moderate inflation pressures in China, with food prices remaining the main driver of short-term consumer price fluctuations, while broader price movements across other consumption categories remained relatively stable.