Inflation reaches 2.6% in August, food prices rise while transport costs fall

Food prices rose again in August, while transport became cheaper. However, the statistical data do not yet include the impact of the increase in petrol and diesel prices, which took effect today, September 8.

According to a statement from the State Statistical Office, inflation in August was 0.4% compared with July and 2.6% compared with the same month a year earlier. A month earlier, monthly inflation stood at 0.1%, while annual inflation was 2.3%, indicating an acceleration in the rise in costs.

In August, the most significant monthly increase in prices was recorded in recreation, sport and culture, at 3.1%. They were followed by restaurants and accommodation services at 2.5%, personal care at 0.6%, food and non-alcoholic beverages at 0.5%, and housing and energy at 0.2%.

Food recorded a notable change in trend. After falling by 1.1% in July compared with June, prices in this group rose by 0.5% in August. Transport, meanwhile, followed the opposite direction: after increasing by 4.4% in July, its costs fell by 0.8% in August.

The impact of these changes on household spending was calculated using an editorial model comprising 18 everyday products and services, divided according to the SSO’s official groups: food, household bills, household goods, personal hygiene, clothing, transport, recreation and food services.

According to this model, a typical monthly basket worth 32,000 denars would cost around 147 denars more. For a two-member family with modeled expenses of 56,000 denars, the increase would be approximately 287 denars. For a four-member family with a basket worth 85,000 denars, the additional cost would reach around 406 denars.

These are editorial calculations based on the SSO’s group indices and do not constitute an official consumption basket, whether trade-union or state-sponsored.

Meanwhile, in addition to the August inflation data, the KE decided to raise the maximum price of petrol by three denars and that of diesel by six denars per liter. Following the decision, EUROSUPER BS-95 costs 97 denars, EUROSUPER BS-98 is sold for 99 denars, while EURODIZEL costs 101 denars per liter.

For a family that fills up with 50 liters of fuel, the new prices mean an additional expense of 150 denars for petrol or 300 denars for diesel, compared with the previous maximum prices. This is a direct calculation based on the new price list and not an estimate of the impact of fuel on overall inflation. The direct consequences, as well as possible effects on other prices, are expected to be reflected first in the September data.