Taiwan’s consumer price index rose 2.84% in November, according to the latest government data. That’s the greatest annual increase in nine years. It’s also the sixth time this year that inflation exceeded the 2% target. In November, the cost of fuel skyrocketed by 35.8%, driven by a rise in international crude oil prices. The cost of food also soared. Eggs went up by 11.27% and fruits by 24.74%.

Inflationary pressures are expected to ease in December, as the cost of global crude oil goes down. Since October, crude oil prices have moved from US$85 a barrel to US$71.