TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – The consumer price index rose 1.6% in August, staying under the psychological barrier of 2% for the fourth month in a row even though food prices recorded sharper increases, the government said Friday.

Typhoons and abundant rainfall forced vegetable and fruit prices up 10.9%, contributing to an overall 3.18% increase for food prices, the Liberty Times reported. Meat products became 5.71% more expensive, grain products including bread 3.4%, and eating out 3.34%.

The cost of a basket of 17 household necessities monitored by the government rose an average of 2.32% in August, the highest increase in 18 months. Pork recorded the steepest rise, 8.09%, followed by bread at 4.15%. Toothpaste became 3.78% more expensive, but the price of shampoo products declined an average of 3.2% and fresh milk 1.91%.

The Directorate General of Budget, Accounting and Statistics said that if the price of vegetables, fruit, and energy are left out, core inflation stayed below 2% for 17 months. In the case of stable weather, the consumer price index for September is likely to be lower than for August.