Inflation up 1.6% in April

The rate of inflation for the first four months of 2008 is almost twice the level registered in the corresponding period last year, meaning 5.8% against 3%, Info-Prim Neo learned from the National Statistics Bureau. The average consumer price index rose in April by 1.6% on the previous month, including by 2.8% with respect to food products, by 0.2% as for non-food prices, and by 2.2% for services. Analyzing the way in which the price developments influenced the consumer price index in April, one can see that the 1.6% increase in the inflation rate was due to a 60% hike in foodstuff prices, including meat and meat products (+20.4%), and fresh vegetable (+13.5%). At the same time, the consumer price index was affected by a 33.2% increase in the cost of services and a 23.9% increase in interurban bus and train tickets. In the reporting period, considerable food price increases were registered for carrot (+24.5%), fresh apples (+18.2%), cabbage (+16.9%), rice (+10.6%), and onion (+10.2%). Prices of veal rose by 9.0%, while of pork by 8.0%. Vegetal oil and diet eggs got dearer by 5.6%. Non-foodstuff prices haven't been an exception either: construction materials rose in price by 2.4%, bicycles by 2.3%, and gold jewelry by 1.4%. The Statistics Bureau recorded in April a considerable increase in the fares on interurban routes (+34.7%) and in the cost of tourism and excursion services (+10.5%). At the same time, price decreases were registered for milk and dairy products (by 2.7; including curd by 3.3% and sour cream by 1.8%), greenhouse vegetable (including cucumber by 20.2% and tomato by 3.1%). Other goods that got cheaper in April were ready-made clothes and footwear.