The average consumer prices dropped by 1.1% in June, compared with May, as only the food prices sank by 3.5%. At the same time, the prices of other products rose by 0.2%, as the services rose by 0.4%, Info-Prim Neo has learnt from the National Statistics Bureau (NSB). In June, the prices of fresh vegetables dropped by 26.4% (tomatoes – by 40%, cucumbers and cabbage – by 35%, early potatoes – by 30%), fresh fruit – by 7.1%, eggs – by 8.5% and dairies – by 1.2%. As for the other products, the prices of home appliances and footwear tumbled. However, the rice price surged 30.4% in June, the non-alcoholic beverages – by 4.0%, sugar – by 2.0% and sunflower oil – by 1.1%. As for the other products, the price of fuels rose by 1.0% in June, the building materials – by 0.9% and apparel – by 0.5% (including men's suits by 5.0%). NSB points out the water supply and drainage services went up in June by 2.0 %, while the public transport and taxis – by 1.0%. Since the beginning of the year, the inflation has risen by 6.2 per cent, almost 2 times more than in June 2007 compared to December 2006, when the inflation was 3.9%. As for the prices rising in Moldova, premier Zinaida Greceanai told a news conference on July 9 it was happening not only in Moldova, but in the whole region and world, saying all the CIS countries and the East-European states had experienced the inflation surging by 4 percentage points. She assured the macroeconomic situation in Moldova was under control. The prime-minister said the Government had lifted the restrictions on meat imports in order to stabilize prices, as “this has had an immediate impact upon prices.” The Government also restricted the markups for a series of strategic goods as some types of food and building materials.