Published on: 9 September 2020

Prices increased by 3.9% in August

Consumer prices were 3.9% higher on average in August 2020 than a year earlier. Significant price rises were measured over the past year for food as well as alcoholic beverages and tobacco.

In 12 months, compared to August 2019:

Food prices went up by 7.9%, within which the price of other meat preparations became 18.1%, that of seasonal food items (potatoes, fresh vegetables and fresh domestic and tropical fruits together) 17.1%, sugar prices 13.4%, the price of salami, sausages and ham 11.4%, that of eggs 10.2% and milk prices 8.9% higher. Alcoholic beverages and tobacco became an average 6.8%, within which tobacco 10.3% more expensive. Motor fuel prices were cut by 4.7%.

In one month, compared to July 2020:

Consumer prices as a whole were unchanged on average. Food prices became 0.3% lower, dominantly due to the 4.4% decrease in the price of seasonal food items (potatoes, fresh vegetables and fresh domestic and tropical fruits together). Food prices excluding this latter group were up by 0.2% on average. Within non-seasonal food items, both milk and salami, sausages and ham became 1.0%, eggs 0.8% and bread 0.5% more expensive, while pork 1.9%, cheese 1.2% and poultry meat 0.5% cheaper. Alcoholic beverages and tobacco prices increased by 0.7% on average, within which tobacco prices by 0.9%. Clothing and footwear became 1.9% cheaper due to the summer sale. The price of motor fuels was reduced by 0.8%. Services became 0.4% more expensive, partly as a result of the 2.2% rise in recreational services prices.

In January–August 2020 compared to the same period of the previous year:

Consumer prices increased by 3.5% on average.

Consumer price indices, August 2020

(%)

Denomination Previous month = 100.0 Corresponding month of previous year = 100.0
Consumer price index100.0103.9
Harmonised consumer price index100.0104.0
Core inflation (original, seasonally unadjusted)a)100.3104.7
Consumer price index for pensioners99.9104.3

a) Seasonally adjusted indices are available in Summary tables (STADAT), in Table 3.6.6.