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Potatoes, other fresh and canned vegetables are the food items that saw the steepest price increase in December 2018 compared to the month before; airline fees also grew more expensive, the National Institute of Statistics (INS) said on Monday.
The price of potatoes this December was 5.73 pct up from the month before, and 39.64 percent higher compared to December 2017, while other fresh and canned vegetables were 5.25 pct, and respectively 23.46 pct more expensive as to the same references. Vegetables and canned vegetables grew by 4.16 percent more expensive compared to the month before, and were 21.50 pct pricier as to the end of 2017.
Conversely, the steepest price drop was for citrus and other Mediterranean fruits: -3.46 percent compared to November, and 8.54 pct less from end-2017. Sugar was 0.62 percent cheaper compared to the month before, and 8.37 pct cheaper as to the end of 2018.
In the non-foods category, the most significant monthly price increases were for tobacco and cigarettes (+1.22 pct) and heating energy (+0.75 pct). In a YoY comparison, tobacco and cigarettes saw a 4.94 pct price rise, heating energy went 4.60 pct more expensive, but the most substantial price advance was for gas: +16.61 pct, although December's price was in line with November.
At the services category, fees for air transport, and hygiene and cosmetics saw the steepest increase: a monthly 9.13 pct and 0.52 pct respectively; 23.44 pct and 5.29 pct YoY, respectively.
The average annual inflation rate was slightly down in December to 3.3 pct from 3.4 pct in November. The annual inflation rate is below the central bank's projection of 3.5 pct for 2018.
In December 2018 food grew 3.10 pct more expensive YoY, non-food prices advanced 3.75 pct and services grew 2.44 pct more expensive.
