Prices increase by 2.1% in January
Consumer prices were 2.1% higher on average in January 2018 than a year earlier. The highest price increases in this period were measured for alcoholic beverages and tobacco as well as food.
In January 2018 compared to January 2017:
Food prices rose by 4.4%, within which eggs became 48.0%, butter 13.6%, pasta products 8.7%, milk products 7.9%, bread 7.1%, milk 5.8% and coffee 5.1% more expensive. Sugar became 11.3% cheaper. The highest price increase of 6.5% on average was recorded for alcoholic beverages and tobacco. Electricity, gas and other fuels turned 1.6%, within which firewood 13.7% and butane and propane gas 10.4% more expensive, the prices of electricity, natural and manufactured gas and purchased heat were unchanged. The price of services was up by 0.8% and that of clothing and footwear by 0.2% on average. Consumers paid 0.1% less for other goods (pharmaceutical products, motor fuels, household products and recreational goods), within which 1.3% less for motor fuels, and 0.5% less for consumer durables.
In January 2018 compared to December 2017:
Consumer prices increased by 0.3% on average. Food prices rose by 1.5%, within which fresh vegetables cost 14.6%, flour 5.4% and pasta products 5.0% more, while fish 5.4% and other meat preparations 2.9% less for consumers. The price of other goods was up by 0.8%, that of alcoholic beverages and tobacco by 0.6% and the price of electricity, gas and other fuels by 0.1%. The price of consumer durables was unchanged. Clothing and footwear cost 2.9% less for consumers due to the end-of-season sale. The price of services was cut by 0.5%, within which the charges for telephone and internet services by 3.7%, as a result of a reduction in the VAT rate of internet services.
Consumer price indices, January 2018
(%)
| Denomination | Previous month=100.0 | Corresponding month of previous year=100.0 |
|---|---|---|
| Consumer price index | 100.3 | 102.1 |
| Harmonised consumer price index | 100.3 | 102.1 |
| Core inflation (seasonally adjusted) | 100.0 | 102.5 |
| Consumer price index for pensioners | 100.5 | 102.3 |