01/04/2021 (Agence Europe) – Annual inflation in the euro area rose to 1.3% in March from 0.9% in February, according to a flash estimate published by the Statistical Office of the European Union (Eurostat) on Wednesday 31 March. It was highest in Luxembourg (2.4%), Germany and Austria (both 2.0%). The lowest rates were observed in Greece (-2.4%), Ireland, Cyprus, Malta, Portugal and Slovenia (all 0.1%). Among the main components of euro area inflation, energy is expected to have the highest annual rate in March (4.3%, compared to -1.7% in February), followed by services (1.3%, compared to 1.2% in February), food, alcohol & tobacco (1.1%, compared to 1.3% in February) and non-energy industrial goods (0.3%, compared to 1.0% in February). (MB)