AN official estimate yesterday showed the annual inflation rate in Germany, Europe's biggest economy, rose to 1.9 percent in January on higher prices for oil, electricity and fresh produce.

The Federal Statistical Office estimated inflation was up from 1.7 percent in December - the latest of several slight increases. But prices fell 0.5 percent month on month on seasonal reasons.

The report came amid a pickup in inflation across the 17-nation eurozone that has prompted the European Central Bank to sound a more hawkish tone. That has raised speculation that it might consider raising interest rates.

Eurozone inflation hit 2.2 percent in December, above the ECB's target of close to, but below 2 percent.