Inflation hits 20-year high of 78.6 percent

Inflation in Turkey in June soared to an annual rate of 78.6 percent－the highest in 24 years, according to official data released on Monday.

The inflation rate reported by Turkey's state statistics agency was the highest since January 1998. Inflation had stood at 73.5 percent in May and at 15.0 percent at the start of last year.

Economy Minister Nureddin Nebati on Friday vowed that consumer prices will start dropping in December.

According to the official data, the surge in inflation in June was driven by a jump of 123.4 percent in the cost of transportation and a 94-percent increase in non-alcoholic drinks.