China's consumer inflation hits eight-year high

Beijing

CHINA'S prices surged to an eight-year high in November, driven largely by a surge in pork prices, while prices at factory gates remained negative, limiting the government's scope to further support the slowing economy.

However, analysts say food prices could begin to stabilise next month, as the African swine flu (which has wiped out more than half of China's hog population) is bought under control.

China's consumer price index (CPI) rose 4.5 per cent in November, up from 3.8 per cent the month before. Pork inflation alone rose 110 per cent y…