frances level of inflation eased less than first anticipated in march as soaring food prices offset cooling energy prices the countrys consumer price index was revised upward to 57 in the month from a preliminary figure of 56 data from the countrys statistics office insee showed friday however the figure remains the lowest level of inflation in six months declining from 63 registered in february as energy prices decelerated markedly compared with a year earlier which came shortly after russias invasion of ukraine food prices continued to drive inflation jumping an upwardly revised 159 compared with 148 in february frances monthonmonth inflation rate in march was also revised upward to 09 from 08 previously on the rise in prices of manufactured goods and tobacco insee said