In March, the annual change of the consumer price index was mainly influenced by electricity, motor fuel and heat energy

Goods were 0.6% more expensive and services 0.7% cheaper compared to March 2013.

Regulated prices of goods and services have decreased by 1.1% and non-regulated prices have risen by 0.6% compared to March of the previous year.

Compared to March 2013, the consumer price index was mainly influenced by the prices of electricity that arrived at homes, motor fuel and heat energy which decreased by 7.2%, 5% and 4.7%, respectively. Food was 2.4% more expensive than in March 2013 – nearly a half of this increase was caused by the 6.3% price increase of milk and dairy products. Compared to March of the previous year, 14% cheaper mobile communication services, 3.1% more expensive alcoholic beverages and 6% more expensive tobacco also had a bigger impact on the index. Compared to March 2013, of food products, the prices of cheese have increased the most (7.1%) and the prices of sugar and coffee have decreased the most (16% and 15%, respectively).

In March compared to February, the consumer price index was mainly influenced by 45% more expensive plane tickets and by the end of the sales of clothing and footwear. The index was also significantly influenced by 3.2% more expensive tobacco products, 1.3% cheaper motor fuel, 4.8% more expensive vegetables and 1.2% cheaper electricity that arrived at homes.