Prices increased by 3.4% in August
Consumer prices were 3.4% higher on average in August 2018 than a year earlier. Significant price increases were measured over the past year for motor fuels and tobacco.
In August 2018 compared to August 2017:
Food prices rose by 4.1%, within which the price of seasonal food items (potatoes, fresh vegetables and fruits) became 14.5%, that of pasta products 9.5%, butter prices 8.4%, the price of eggs 7.5%, that of milk products 6.0% and flour prices 5.1% higher and the price of sugar 23.6% lower. The highest price increase of 7.1% on average was recorded for other goods (pharmaceutical products, motor fuels, household products and recreational goods), within which consumers paid 16.3% more for motor fuels. The price of alcoholic beverages and tobacco was up by 4.6% on average, within which tobacco prices by 6.2%. The price of services rose by 1.7%. Electricity, gas and other fuels turned 1.6% more expensive, within which firewood prices increased by 13.5% and butane and propane gas prices by 10.3%, the prices of electricity, natural and manufactured gas and purchased heat were unchanged. Clothing and footwear prices also remained unchanged. Consumers paid 0.2% less for consumer durables.
In August 2018 compared to July 2018:
Consumer prices were up by 0.1% on average. Food prices did not change in total, within which butter became 2.1%, salami, sausages and ham 1.1% and pork 0.7% more expensive, while other meat preparations became 2.2%, flour 2.0% and sugar 1.1% cheaper. Out of the main groups of consumption, the highest price rise of 0.3% was measured for services, within which recreational services prices increased by 1.1% due to the summer high season. The price of other goods became 0.2% and electricity, gas and other fuels prices 0.1% higher. The prices of alcoholic beverages and tobacco as well as consumer durables did not change on average. Consumers paid 1.9% less for clothing and footwear due to the summer sale.
In January–August 2018 compared to the same period of the previous year:
Consumer prices increased by 2.6% on average.
Consumer price indices, August 2018
(%)
Denomination | Previous month=100.0 | Corresponding month of previous year=100.0 |
---|---|---|
Consumer price index | 100.1 | 103.4 |
Harmonised consumer price index | 100.0 | 103.4 |
Core inflation (seasonally adjusted) | 100.1 | 102.2 |
Consumer price index for pensioners | 100.1 | 103.0 |