The Dutch rate of inflation rose slightly to 1.9% in March, due to higher prices for fuel, energy and clothing, national statistics agency CBS said on Thursday.

The cost of food, however, damped the rise in prices, with the price of vegetables, meat, fruit and potatoes falling by an average of 1.3% last month.

Inflation across the eurozone averaged 1.3%, the CBS said, having risen from 0.9% a year ago. The Dutch rate of inflation, calculated according to the harmonized European system, is also 1.9%.

Inflation has been rising since last November, after hitting a low of 0.7% in August 2020.