Point-to-point inflation has climbed to 8.6%, up from 7.9% in August.

This, as food prices continue to soar.

The September point-to-point rate was released by the Statistical Institute of Jamaica, STATIN on Thursday.

It is well above the Bank of Jamaica’s target range of 4% to 6%.

It’s the fourth month in a row that inflation has broken through the top of that range.

Food is the main driver.

Prices for food and non-alcoholic beverages are now 12.4% higher than a year ago, up from 10.2% in August.

Transport costs remain 14.6% higher than a year ago, unchanged from the previous month.

Housing and utility costs are up 4.5% over the year, slightly lower than August’s 4.8%.

For September alone, the Consumer Price Index rose 1.5%, more than double the 0.6% increase recorded in August.