The CPI soared 19.78 percent against December 2007 and 21.28 percent over the same period last year.

Food and food services experienced the lowest price rise of 0.99 percent over last month, and food prices decreased by 0.37 percent. In June, the group increased by 3.29 percent (food prices by 4.29 percent and foodstuff prices by 3.05 percent).

Several commodities rose less than 1 percent like drinks and tobacco (0.98 percent), transportation and postal services (0.55 percent).

Meanwhile, educational services surged 1.02 percent, garment and footwear (1.4 percent) and home appliances (1.53 percent).

Also on the rise were housing and construction materials (1.67 percent) and pharmaceuticals and medical services (2 percent).

Gold prices saw the highest CPI increase of 3.2 percent while the US dollar rose 1.83 percent in value.