The Dutch rate of inflation fell marginally to 2.9% in March, compared with 3% in the preceeding two months, the national statistics office CBS said on Tuesday.

Cheaper fuel prices helped drive down the increase, as did the reduction in value-added tax on building and garden maintenance. Clothes, shoes and tobacco prices were more expensive.

Calculated according to the EU harmonised index, the Dutch inflation rate has been 3.2% for the past three months, well above the eurozone average of 1.7%.