Rwanda inflation falls to 5.81 pct in July

KIGALI (Reuters) - Rwanda's annual inflation rate fell to 5.81 percent in July compared with 10.07 percent in June due to lower food prices, the government said on Thursday.

It said the decrease in the consumer prices index was mostly due to falling prices for food and non-alcoholic beverages, as well as housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels.

Rwandan inflation rates rose to 22.3 percent from 6.5 percent during 2008 buy they have been dropping this year, reaching 17.1 percent in March and 10.07 percent in June.

The finance ministry said last week it expected inflation to fall to 7 percent by December, partly due to strong domestic agricultural production earlier this year.