ZURICH, March 3 (Reuters) - Swiss consumer price inflation rose to a higher-than-expected 2.2% in February, the highest since 2008 and above the 2% level the Swiss National Bank defines as the upper limit for its definition of price stability.
The consumer price index rose 0.7% compared with the previous month, government data showed on Thursday. The rise reflected rising prices for fuel, housing rental and heating oil costs, while prices for berries and hotel stays fell.
Excluding fresh and seasonal products, energy and fuel, core inflation rose 0.6% versus the previous month and 1.3% year on year.
SNB Chairman Thomas Jordan said in January that the central bank saw inflation near its peak, with no signs that higher wages would fuel demand that would lock in higher prices.
The SNB has forecast that Swiss inflation would be around 1% this year.
(Reporting by Michael Shields Editing by Paul Carrel)
