Mexico's consumer price index (CPI) accelerated to an annual 4.42pc in May, with strong pressures on meat and egg prices and modest acceleration in core inflation.
The index increased for a fourth consecutive month, accelerating from 3.93pc in April after reaching a four-year low of 3.59pc in January.
The result from statistics agency Inegi came in above the 4.37pc median estimate of analysts polled in Citi Research's 5 June survey to reach the fastest inflation since November 2024.
It also pushes CPI to above the central bank's long-term objective inflation range of between 2pc and 4pc.
Nevertheless, the central bank has been clear in its communication that the rate-cutting cycle will continue, with a likely half-point cut in the target interest rate to 8pc at the next policy meeting on 26 June.
Core inflation, which excludes volatile food and energy, reached an annual 4.06pc in May from 3.93pc in April, ending a run of eight consecutive months below the 4pc level.
Within the core, consumer goods inflation rose to 3.67pc from 3.38pc the previous month. while services accelerated to 4.63pc from 4.56pc in April.
Meanwhile, annual non-core inflation surged to 5.34pc in May from 3.76pc in April, largely tied to agricultural goods prices.
Annual energy inflation in May reached 3.5pc with regular 87-octane gasoline inflation just 0.54pc, as prices remain capped at Ps24/l ($4.78/USG) under a voluntary price cap between fuel retailers and the government.
Month-over-month, headline CPI rose by 0.28pc in May after a 0.33pc increase in April. Core prices were up by 0.30pc from 0.43pc from April, while non-core prices sped 1.24pc, driven by a 3.5pc month-over-month acceleration in meat and egg prices, as well as produce prices speeding 2.8pc from April.
This more than offset the moderation in energy prices with a second tranche of seasonal subsidies starting in May, slowing electricity inflation 18pc monthly.
Looking ahead, Mexican bank Banorte said it would continue to monitor inflationary pressures on eggs and poultry after a ban on the import of the products from Brazil, as well as the evolution of the screwworm outbreak in the south of the country and on the coming tropical cyclone season and its impacts on fruits and vegetables prices.
