BERLIN (AP) -- German consumer prices were down 0.3 percent on the year in September, dropping into negative territory for the second time in 2009, according to an official estimate Monday.
The annual inflation rate in the country, which has Europe's biggest economy, stood at zero in August after declining by 0.5 percent in July. That was the first annual decline in 22 years.
The Federal Statistical Office said prices were down 0.4 percent on the month in September as fuel and food prices declined.
The figures were based on data from five of Germany's 16 states. Final figures are due Oct. 9, but they rarely deviate significantly from the initial estimate.