Monthly inflation measured by Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices increased +0.5% in March. This was influenced mostly by the increase in prices of food (vegetables and milk, cheese and eggs), fuels and lubricants and tobacco. Annual inflation in March is +2.1%, and it is lower than in February, when it was 3.1%.

When observing the main groups, monthly growth of prices was noticed in the following groups: Food and non-alcoholic beverages (+1.4%); Transport (+1.1%); Alcoholic beverages and tobacco (+0.2%); while a decrease in prices is recorded in groups: Clothing and footwear  (- 0.7%); Housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels (-0.4%); Miscellaneous goods and services (-0.4%); Health (-0.2%); Communications (-0.1%). Prices in the groups: Furnishing, household equipment and routine household maintenance; Recreation and culture; Education; Restaurants and Hotels remain at the same level as in the previous month.

Positive annual inflation rates in March were observed in the following groups: Alcoholic beverages and tobacco (+14.8%); Housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels (+6.6%); Health (+3.9%); Communications (+2.7%); Food and non-alcoholic beverages (+1.9%); Miscellaneous goods and services (+1.9%); Furnishing, household equipment and routine household maintenance (+1.6%); Transport (+1.4%); while negative annual inflation rates were observed in the following groups: Clothing and footwear (-2.3%); Recreation and culture (- 1.3%); Restaurants and Hotels (-0.4%); Education (-0.3%).

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