In March, consumer prices were on average 8.5 percent higher than a year earlier. Inflation was last so high in June 2007. Over the past year, food prices have risen the most, the Central Statistical Office (CSO) said on Friday.
Analysts expected inflation of 8.6 to 8.7 percent in March. Consumer prices rose by an average of 1.0 percent in one month. Core inflation rose 1.0 percentage points from February to 9.1 percent.
Food prices rose 13.0 percent after an annual rise of 11.3 percent in February. Within this, margarine by 33.6 percent, bread by 27.9 percent, cheese by 21.8 percent, poultry by 21.4 percent, pastries by 18.7 percent, dairy products by 18.2 percent, seasonal food products (potatoes, fresh vegetables, fresh domestic, and citrus combined) increased by 17.9 percent. Alcoholic beverages and tobacco prices rose by an average of 7.0 percent, of which tobacco products by 7.7 percent, which is 2.2 percentage points lower than in February.
Durable consumer goods had to pay 9.5 percent more, an annual increase of 1.2 percentage points from February. Within this, 16.1 percent more was paid for kitchen and other furniture, 15.1 percent more for room furniture, 12.3 percent for used cars, 10.3 percent for televisions, and 8.6 percent more for new cars.
Fees for services increased by 6.0 percent, of which housing repair and maintenance increased by 18.7 percent, vehicle repair and maintenance by 13.0 percent, long-distance transport by 14.5 percent, and the price of cinema tickets by 9.2 percent. Phone and internet subscriptions were 1.5 percent lower than in March last year. Within an average price increase of 1.0 percent compared to February, food prices rose 2.0 percent. Margarine became 7.5 percent more expensive in one month, seasonal food 5.5 percent, poultry 3.3 percent, cheese 3.2 percent, bread 3.0 percent, and pork 2.6 percent in a single month. Chocolate and cocoa became cheaper by 1.1 percent and sugar by 0.4 percent. Prices of consumer durables rose 1.0 percent, of which new cars rose 2.1 percent and used cars 1.3 percent.
Services rose by 0.6 percent year-on-year, including 2.7 percent more for domestic holidays, 2.1 percent less for housing repairs, and 0.5 percent less for telephone and internet subscriptions than in February.
In the first quarter, consumer prices rose by an average of 8.2 percent year-on-year for all households. Among retired households, consumer prices rose by an average of 7.8 percent from January-March last year, including an annual rise of 8.3 percent in March.
pestinap.hu
