Inflation edged up 4 basis points to 5.57 percent in the month of October on the back of food price hike.

October's consumer prices are still within the government's target of 5.8 percent for fiscal 2016-17.

Food inflation accelerated 46 basis points to 5.56 per-

cent last month, according to data from Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics.

However, non-food inflation declined 61 basis points to 5.58 percent.

Rises in prices of rice, vegetables, salt, milk and milk products, edible oil and sugar have fuelled the inflation, particularly food inflation in October, said a

senior BBS official.

The prices of some non-food items, such as furniture and transportation cost, also increased last month, he said.

In October, inflation in urban areas declined to 6.87 percent from 7.21 percent a month earlier.

Food inflation in urban areas rose 6 basis points to 7.09 percent. However, non-food inflation declined by 79 basis points to 6.63 percent, BBS data showed.

Inflation in rural areas stood at 4.87 percent in October, up from 4.63 percent the previous month. Food inflation in rural areas rose to 4.89 percent from 4.27 percent in September and nonfood decreased to 4.83 percent from 5.31 percent.