Italy's annual inflation rate rose to 1.7% this month from 1.6% in May, according to a preliminary estimate released by Istat on Monday.
    The national statistics agency said the rise in the cost of living was mainly down to a spike in food prices, which rose by 3.5% in June, compared to 3.0% in May.
    It said its consumer-price index was up 0.2% in month-on-month terms.
    Istat said its shopping trolley index of the prices of food and household and personal care goods went up by 3.1% in June, compared to 2.7% in May.
    It said core inflation (excluding energy and unprocessed food) also increased, rising to 2.1% from 1.9% in May.

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