Peru inflation rises 0.35 percent in March

LIMA, April 1 (Reuters) - Peru's consumer prices rose 0.35 percent in March, the government said on Sunday, rising from February but coming in slightly below market expectations.

Seven analysts and economists polled by Reuters forecast a median 0.38 percent rise in the consumer price index, citing higher prices for food and school-related products.

In March 2006, the consumer price index rose 0.46 percent and 0.26 percent in February of this year.

Consumer prices have risen 0.62 percent in the first three months of 2007, the government said in its gazette El Peruano, without providing details on the increases by sector.

Peru's central bank inflation target for 2007 is between 1 percent and 3 percent.

Peru had 2006 inflation of 1.14 percent.