German inflation accelerated by more than expected in February as cold weather pushed up the cost of food and heating oil.
According to Germany's Federal Statistics Office, consumer prices rose by 1.8 per cent year on year, up from 1.6 per cent in January, with prices increasing by 0.4 per cent on the month.
However, with economists forecasting an initial estimate of January price developments in the euro zone will be revised down, inflation in the 12-nation bloc is seen staying just above the European Central Bank's threshold of just under 2 per cent.
Alongside Belgian inflation data released on Friday, the German states provided the first indications of price trends across the euro zone. Belgian consumer prices rose 0.67 per cent in February to stand 2.57 per cent higher year on year.
Germany's index of consumer prices harmonised to conform with other European Union countries rose by 1.7 per cent on the year and by 0.3 per cent on the month, the office said.