Prices increased by 3.4% in September
The annual rate of increase of consumer prices slowed down to 3.4% in September 2020. The lower price dynamics were mostly due to more moderate annual price rises measured for food, alcoholic beverages and tobacco as well as services. The prices were cut in the case of all the three product groups compared to the previous month.
In 12 months, compared to September 2019:
Food prices went up by 7.3%, within which the price of seasonal food items (potatoes, fresh vegetables and fresh domestic and tropical fruits together) became 18.5%, that of other meat preparations 17.0%, sugar prices 11.7%, the price of flour 11.0%, that of salami, sausages and ham 10.1% and eggs prices 9.1% higher. Alcoholic beverages and tobacco became an average 6.3%, within which tobacco 9.6% more expensive. Consumers paid 2.4% more for services and 3.4% less for motor fuels.
In one month, compared to August 2020:
Consumer prices lessened by 0.4% on average. Food prices also became 0.4% lower, dominantly due to the 3.8% decrease in the price of seasonal food items (potatoes, fresh vegetables and fresh domestic and tropical fruits together). The price of non-seasonal food items was unchanged in total, since flour became 2.7% and pasta products 1.8% more expensive, while chocolate and cocoa 1.6%, milk 0.9% and poultry meat 0.5% cheaper. Consumers paid 0.9% less for services, mainly as a result of a price decrease of 6.9% for recreational services and of 1.5% for telephone services and internet. Alcoholic beverages and tobacco prices lessened by 0.2% on average, within which alcoholic beverages prices by 0.5%. Clothing and footwear became 0.7% more expensive. The price of motor fuels was up by 0.5%.
In January–September 2020 compared to the same period of the previous year:
Consumer prices rose by 3.5% on average taking into account all households and by 4.0% among pensioner households.
Consumer price indices, September 2020
(%)
| Denomination | Previous month = 100.0 | Corresponding month of previous year = 100.0 |
|---|---|---|
| Consumer price index | 99.6 | 103.4 |
| Harmonised consumer price index | 99.5 | 103.4 |
| Core inflation (original, seasonally unadjusted)a) | 99.7 | 104.0 |
| Consumer price index for pensioners | 99.7 | 103.8 |
a) Seasonally adjusted indices are available in Table 3.6.6 in the Summary tables (STADAT).