Wiesbaden (dpa/lhe) - The rise in consumer prices in Hesse slowed down somewhat in November. As reported by the State Statistical Office on Tuesday, the annual inflation rate was 9.7 percent. In October, the inflation rate was still 9.9 percent. Compared to October, consumer prices fell by 0.4 percent in November. Inflation has been fueled by high energy and food prices for months.

Energy cost an average of 34.2 percent more in November than in the same month last year. Consumers had to pay 49.4 percent more for heating oil and 37.1 percent more for district heating. Despite the lower VAT rate, natural gas was more than twice as expensive as a year earlier. Refueling cost 13.1 percent more. Excluding all energy, consumer prices rose 6.6 percent.

Food prices also increased significantly by 20.2 percent compared to the previous year. Edible fats and oils were above average (plus 36.4 percent), including butter with a price increase of 37.4 percent.