In March, the annual change in consumer price index was mainly influenced by housing expenditures

Goods were 3.6% and services 5.9% more expensive compared to March 2011.

Regulated prices of goods and services have risen by 10.6% and non-regulated prices by 2.3% compared to March of the previous year.

Compared to March 2011, the index was mainly influenced by household expenditures which accounted for more than 40% of the total increase, whereas the price increase of heat energy (up 17.7%), electricity (up 13.7%) and gas (up 11.7%) accounted for three fourths of the increase in housing expenditures. Food and non-alcoholic beverages accounted for a sixth of the total increase and the 11.5% price increase of motor fuel accounted for a seventh of the total increase. Compared to March 2011, the prices of eggs (28%) and vegetable oil (22%) have increased the most of all food products. In March 2012, potatoes were 56% cheaper and fresh vegetables 12% cheaper than in the same period last year.

In March, compared to February, the consumer price index was mainly influenced by the price of transport, food and non-alcoholic beverages, and alcoholic beverages and tobacco – each of these accounted for one fourth of the total increase. Motor fuel was 2.9% more expensive and plane tickets were 28% more expensive, compared to February. The food index was mainly influenced by the 13.4% price increase of fresh vegetables and the 16.5% price increase of eggs. The 7.6% price increase of tobacco products was caused by new tobacco excise duty rates that entered into force on 1 January 2012, and the fact that a great volume of tobacco products with the new excise stamps arrived in shops in March.