Price of seasonal food items grow

In February 2009 consumer prices increased by 1.0% compared to the previous month and rose by 3.0% compared to February 2008. In the first two months of 2009 the average increase of prices was 3.1% compared to the corresponding period of year 2008.

 Price increase was measured in case of
seasonal food items (potatoes, fresh vegetables, fruits) (7.7%) and
sugar (2.7%). Prices of edible oil (4.5%) and cheese (3.5%)
decreased. Food prices excluding seasonal food items were 0.1% higher
than in the previous month. The price rise of other goods was the
highest (2.4%) comprising a 7.6% price rise of motor fuels. In case
of electricity, gas and other fuels the price rise (1.1%) was near to
the average, while electricity rose by 2.8%. The price rise of
services (0.6%) was lower than the average. Within services prices of
water charges grew by 4.8%, sewerage disposal by 4.6%. In case of
alcoholic beverages, tobacco (0.6%) as well as consumer durable goods
(0.5%) the price rise was lower than the average too. Price decrease
was measured in case of clothing and footwear (1.8%).

In February 2009 compared to February
2008 food prices rose by 4.9%, a higher-than-average rate.

In this category a substantial price
increase was observed in case of pork fat (42.8%), rice, other
cereals (23.4%) as well as pork (15.5%). Price decrease was measured
in case of cheese (10.0%), seasonal food items (6.3%) and flour
(6.1%). In case of electricity, gas and other fuels prices increased
by 10.8%, at a rate higher than the average, while piped gas rose by
22.6%, purchased heat by 16.3%. The price rise of alcoholic
beverages, tobacco (5.4%) was higher than the average too. In case of
services the price rise (3.0%) was in line with the average, prices
of refuse disposal grew by 10.9%, water charges by 8.9%, sewerage
disposal by 8.0%. Price decrease was measured in case of other goods
(2.5%), comprising a 13.6% price decrease of motor fuels. In case of
consumer durable goods the price rise was 0.1%. Consumers paid 0.1%
less for clothing and footwear compared to February 2008.