Germany Sees Highest Inflation Rate of 2013

The rate of inflation in Germany, Europe's biggest economy, continued to climb in July to reach the highest level seen this year, final data showed on Tuesday.

The cost of living rose 1.9 percent this month on a 12-month basis, up from 1.8 percent in June, the federal statistics office Destatis said in a statement.

The pick-up in the rate of inflation was driven primarily by rising food prices, Destatis said.

Using the Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices (HICP), the European Central Bank's inflation yardstick, the rate of inflation in Germany was also measured at 1.9 percent in July.

The ECB defines price stability as increases in HICP of close to but just below 2.0 percent.