The annual rate of inflation fell to 2.9% in November, a marginal drop on October, although grocery shopping remains more expensive, national statistics office CBS said on Tuesday.

The cost of energy was barely up (0.9%) on a year ago while food inflation reached 3.1%, CBS said. Services, such as a visit to the hairdresser or a train trip, were over 4% more expensive than a year ago.

Inflation has now hovered around 3% for the past two years but remains above the 2% recommended by the European central bank. The figures are preliminary and a definitive version will be published on December 9.

Calculated according to European methods, inflation in the Netherlands was 2.6% in November and 3% in October. The EU system does not take the cost of rental housing into account.