In 2008, high imported food inflation drove the overall inflation in Peru to about 5.5 percent, which was about 1-3 percent higher than the expected target. Although the level of inflation in Peru was amongst the lowest in the region, it was still amongst the highest in the last ten years in Peru (IMF 2008). In responding to high food inflation, the Government temporarily distributed food to the poorest citizens in Lima. Import tariff for rice, maize, and wheat were reduced or eliminated.