(Yicai Global) Dec. 9 -- China's consumer prices unexpectedly fell last month for the first time since October 2009, pulled down by food prices as the cost of pork dropped for a second month in row after steep gains this year and last.

The Consumer Price Index, China's main gauge of inflation, fell 0. 5 percent in November from a year ago, according to data the National Bureau of Statistics published today. In October, the CPI had risen just 0.5 percent, itself an 11-year low.

November’s official figure compares with an average 0.03 percent increase expected by 24 chief economists at major Chinese financial institutions polled by Yicai Global. Their forecast was partly guided by a higher year-earlier base figure for pork after last year's rapid price markups due to the heavy toll African swine fever took on pig herds in China.

Their expectations were partly guided by a higher base figure for pork prices a year earlier when the cost of the meat rose sharply due to deadly African swine fever. 

The cost of the meat dived 12.5 percent last month as pig stocks recovered, contributing to an overall decline in food prices of 2 percent. Pork had already fallen 2.8 percent year on year in October.

Last month’s core CPI, which excludes food and energy, climbed 0.5 percent.

For the 11 months ended Nov. 30, the CPI gained 2.7 percent from a year ago.

Editor: Emmi Laine