Prices increased by 2.4% in April
Consumer prices were 2.4% higher on average in April 2020 than a year earlier. Significant price rises were measured over the past year for food as well as alcoholic beverages and tobacco. Food prices increased at a higher rate than usual compared to March, which may have been caused by the effects of the corona virus epidemic. Motor fuel prices went down markedly over a month as a result of significantly falling oil prices.
In 12 months, compared to April 20191:
Food prices went up by 8.7%, within which pork prices became 28.9%, the price of other meat preparations 22.3%, that of seasonal food items (potatoes, fresh vegetables and fruits) 15.1%, sugar prices 14.1% and salami, sausages and ham prices 12.5% higher. The price of alcoholic beverages and tobacco rose by 7.2% on average, within which tobacco prices by 11.1%. Consumers paid 3.0% more for services, within which the price of games of chance increased by 7.8% and rent by 5.6%. Motor fuel prices were cut by 22.7%.
In one month, compared to March 2020:
Consumer prices lessened by 0.6% on average. Food prices went up at a higher rate than usual this time, by 1.4% on average, which was influenced by the growing demand caused by the corona virus epidemic. Within food prices, the price of seasonal food items (potatoes, fresh vegetables and fruits) became 6.2%, that of other meat preparations 3.5%, chocolate and cocoa prices 3.4%, pork and eggs prices both 2.8%, the price of flour 2.0% and that of poultry meat 1.5% higher. Consumers paid 1.4% more for clothing and footwear and 0.7% more for alcoholic beverages and tobacco, within which latter tobacco became 1.5% more expensive. The price of services was reduced by 0.2%, within which – as an effect of public parking being made free – motorway toll and the charges for renting a car and parking lessened by 22.5% and rent by 2.4%. As an impact of significantly falling oil prices, the price of motor fuels became 16.4% lower, so this product group alone contributed by 1.1 percentage points to the monthly decrease in the consumer price index.
In January–April 2020 compared to the same period of the previous year:
Consumer prices went up by 3.9% on average.
Consumer price indices, April 2020
(%)
| Denomination | Previous month = 100.0 | Corresponding month of previous year = 100.0 |
|---|---|---|
| Consumer price index | 99.4 | 102.4 |
| Harmonised consumer price index | 99.5 | 102.5 |
| Core inflation (original, seasonally unadjusted)a) | 100.5 | 104.3 |
| Consumer price index for pensioners | 99.8 | 103.3 |
a) Seasonally adjusted indices are available in Summary tables (STADAT), in Table 3.6.6.
1Effects of the corona virus epidemic on consumer price index calculations.