Consumer prices rose in January; annual deflation 0.5%

Prices of goods fell by 1.4%, while prices of services rose by 1.5%.

Compared to January 2020, in January 2021 the average level of consumer prices was mainly influenced by the drop in prices of goods and services related to transport, goods and services related to housing, miscellaneous goods and services, food and non-alcoholic beverages, as well as rise in prices of goods and services related to recreation and culture, health care, restaurant and hotel services, clothing and footwear.

Over the year, prices within the group of food and non-alcoholic beverages decreased by 0.1 %. The most significant price drop was for meat and meat preparations (2.6 %), including price decrease for pork (9.5 %) and poultry (4.9 %). Downturn was registered in prices of fresh vegetables (of 4.4 %), potatoes (7.8 %), butter (5.3 %), as well as coffee (1.2 %). In its turn, the average price level increased for bakery products (by 2.4 %), bread (1.5 %) and buckwheat (17.5 %). Rise was recorded in prices of fresh fruit (0.9 %), breakfast cereals (10.4 %), cheese and curd (1.7 %), dried, salted or smoked meat (0.9 %), as well as chocolate (3.1 %).

The average level of clothing and footwear prices rose by 1.3 %. Prices of clothing increased on average by 2.3 %, in turn, average price level of footwear fell by 2.1 %.

Prices of goods and services related to housing dropped by 2.6 %. Over the year prices of heat energy, solid fuels, rentals for housing, natural gas and electricity dropped. In turn, increase was recorded in prices of services for the maintenance and repair of the dwelling, as well as materials for the maintenance and repair of the dwelling.

During the year, the average level of health care prices grew by 2.6 %. Average price level of dental services and in medical specialist practice went up. In turn, fall was registered in prices of pharmaceutical products, mainly reimbursable medical products.

Prices of goods and services related to transport declined by 4.7 %, which was affected by the drop in prices of fuels for transport (of 12.6 %). Prices of diesel on average decreased by 14.6 %, of petrol – by 10.4 %, but of auto gas – by 9.4 %. Average price level of passenger transport by air reduced, which was significantly affected by Covid-19 restrictions. Upturn was recorded in prices of passenger transport by road, maintenance and repair of personal transport equipment.

Goods and services related to recreation and culture became more expensive by 2.9 %. Over the year, the average level of prices for personal computers, television subscription fee, magazines, as well as flowers increased.

During the year, average level of prices of restaurant and hotel services grew by 1.6 %. Price rise was mainly affected by catering services, as the average level of prices of canteen services increased by 4.3 %, of restaurant and café services – by 1.5 %, and of fast food services – by 3.4 %. Prices of hotel services went down (0.9 %).

In the group of miscellaneous goods and services, prices decreased by 0.8 %, which was mainly due to the fall in prices for motor vehicle insurance. In turn, social protection and financial services became more expensive.

In other commodity groups, the most significant fall in prices was for beer. In turn, prices rose for spirits, telecommunication services and tobacco products.

During the month, the average level of consumer prices rose by 0.4 %

Compared to December 2020, in January 2021 the average level of consumer prices increased by 0.4 %. The average level of prices of goods rose by 0.4 % and that of service prices – by 0.3 %. The greatest pressure on the price changes was put by the rise in prices of goods and services related to transport, goods and services related to housing, prices in miscellaneous goods and services group, prices of food and non-alcoholic beverages, prices of alcoholic beverages and tobacco products, as well as drop in prices of clothing and footwear.

Over the month, average price level of food and non-alcoholic beverages grew by 0.4 %. The most significant rise in the price level was for fresh fruit (8.4 %) and fresh vegetables (2.9 %). As sales campaigns ended, upturn was recorded in prices of milk (of 4.3 %), flours and other cereals (4.0 %), bread (0.8 %) and chocolate (2.1 %). Sales campaigns led to the drop in prices of pork (of 6.9 %), poultry (2.8 %) and coffee (2.0 %). Prices of dried, salted or smoked meat went down by 0.6 %.

The average level of alcoholic beverage and tobacco product prices rose by 0.4 %. As the sales campaigns ended, prices of spirits and wine went up.

The average level of clothing and footwear prices fell by 5.0 %. Due to restrictions announced in the country, in January it was not possible to buy clothing and footwear in stores, therefore, number of Covid-19 imputations in the group increased. Affected by discounts and sales, prices of clothing dropped by 5.0 %, but prices of footwear – by 5.8 %.

Prices of goods and services related to housing rose by 0.8 %. Due to the increase in the natural gas tariffs as of 1 January 2021, there was an upturn in prices of natural gas on average by 6.7 %. Due to the increase of natural resources tax, prices of refuse collection services on average rose by 5.3 %. Prices of materials for the maintenance and repair of the dwelling, services for the maintenance and repair of the dwelling and maintenance charges in multi-occupied buildings went up. Average price level went down for solid fuels and electricity.

Average level of prices of goods and services related to transport rose by 1.5 %. Prices of fuels for transport went up by 4.7 %, of which prices of diesel by 5.8 %, of petrol by – 3.9 %, and of auto gas – by 1.2 %. Prices of passenger transport by air and of second-hand motor cars reduced.

Within the miscellaneous goods and services group, prices increased by 2.5 %, which was mainly affected by the end of sales campaigns on articles for personal hygiene and beauty products. Average price level increased for motor vehicle insurance and financial services.

Among other commodity groups, the most notable decline was registered in prices of telecommunication services, dental services, household cleaning and maintenance products. In turn, fall was registered in prices of books.

Price changes by commodity group
(as per cent)

Compared to 2015, in January 2021 consumer prices were 8.7 % higher. Prices of goods increased by 6.2 % and prices of services by 14.9 %.