Inflation stands at 2.3 per cent since the beginning of the year and on annual rate it is at 4.2 per cent, the National Statistics Institute (NSI) announced.

Inflation in consumer prices in April is 0.5 percent and inflation for the period January-April 2007 against January-April 2006 is 5 percent.

Food prices grew 0.5 per cent in April. Prices of other goods rose 0.4 per cent and inflation in the sphere of services was 0.5 per cent.

Last month saw an increase in the following: bread – 0.2 per cent, rice – 0.3 per cent, chicken – 0.6 per cent, fish and fish products – 0.5 per cent, eggs – 3.8 per cent, margarine – 0.9 per cent, fruit – 5.7 per cent, fresh and frozen vegetables – 0.9 per cent, olives – 0.9 per cent, potatoes – 3.8 per cent, ice cream – 1.8 per cent, fruit and vegetable juice – 1.3 per cent and others.

Prices of the following have decreased: meat – 2.1 per cent, minced meat – 0.3 per cent, cheeses – 0.4 per cent, lentils – 1.4 per cent, mushrooms – 3.3 per cent and fizzy drinks – 3.6 per cent. The prices of wine and beer rose by 0.2 and 1.7 per cent respectively and those of liquor and tobacco went down by 0.4 and 0.9 per cent respectively.

Other prices that also went up in April are – clothes – 0.8 per cent, shoes – 3.2 per cent. Rents were also up last month by 0.4 per cent and repairs and maintenance costs increased 1.2 per cent.

The price of diesel went up by 4.6 per cent, gas rose 0.5 per cent, A95 gasoline – 6 per cent, A 95 gasoline – 4.1 per cent. Inflation in car maintenance costs was 0.5 per cent, taxi fares – 0.6 per cent, public transport – 0.6 per cent.
Inflation in the hotel and restaurant sector was 0.5 per cent and in legal counseling – 9.5 per cent.

Prices of medicines rose 0.3 per cent and the fees of doctors and dentists increased 0.6 per cent and 1.8 per cent respectively.

Some prices went down. These are: gas for household purposes – 4 per cent, furniture – 0.3 per cent, refrigerators – 0.8 per cent, personal computers – 2.5 per cent, holiday packages – 6.4 per cent and others.