This represents the sharpest monthly fall in prices since the series began in 1990.

Energy prices decreased again in the month by 1.8 per cent MoM after a 1.3-per cent fall in August due to the fall in prices of petroleum products by 3.5 per cent MoM after a 2.8-per cent drop in the preceding month.

Prices of manufactured goods, however, rose by 0.5 per cent MoM, but slowed down compared to a 1.4-per cent rise in August. Prices of clothing and footwear increased as well, by 4 per cent MoM after a 6.2-per cent rise in August.

Seasonally adjusted, French consumer prices decreased by 0.6 per cent MoM in September after a 0.2-per cent rise in August, an INSEE release said.

Year on year (YoY), consumer prices went up by 1.1 per cent in September after a 1.8-per cent YoY rise in August. Prices of energy fell by 3.3 per cent YoY in the month after a 0.4-per cent YoY rise in August

Prices of manufactured products decreased by 0.3 per cent YoY in September after a 0.1-per cent YoY drop in August. Prices of clothing and footwear fell back slightly by 0.2 per cent YoY in the month after a 1-per cent YoY rise in the preceding month.

Core inflation slowed down YoY, rising by 1.4 per cent in September after a 1.7-per cent rise in August.

Prices of furniture and furnishings increased by 0.2 per cent YoY in September after a 0.6-per cent rise in August.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)