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ECB expects food inflation to settle just above 2%

By Thomson Reuters Feb 26, 2026 | 2:43 AM

FRANKFURT, Feb 26 (Reuters) – The European Central Bank expects food ​inflation, which ‌is crucial for consumers’ perception of price stability, to settle just ‌above ​its 2% ⁠target late this ⁠year, ECB President Christine Lagarde said on Thursday.

“Looking forward, we ​expect it to continue to ⁠decline and ⁠stabilise somewhat above ​2% as of ​late 2026,” Lagarde told a ‌committee of the European Parliament.

Lagarde repeated the ECB’s ⁠expectation that headline inflation will converge to its 2% ⁠goal ‌over the ⁠medium term as ​wage ‌growth eases and ​the economy ⁠hums along despite a challenging trade environment.

(Reporting by Francesco Canepa; editing by Balazs ​Koranyi)