In February, the annual change of the consumer price index was mainly influenced by food

Goods were 1.0% more expensive and services 0.2% cheaper compared to February of the previous year.

Regulated prices of goods and services have decreased by 0.4% and non-regulated prices have risen by 0.9% compared to February of the previous year.

Compared to February 2013, the consumer price index was mainly influenced by the 2.4% price increase of food, whereas the 5.5% more expensive dairy products accounted for 40% and the 8.1% more expensive vegetables accounted for nearly a third of the impact of food on the index. 90% of the increase in the index caused by food was offset by the price decrease of electricity, heat energy and fuel – heat energy was 4.7% cheaper and the electricity that arrived at homes was 4.1% cheaper than in February 2013. Alcoholic beverages and tobacco also had a bigger impact on the index, as their prices increased by 5.3% and 7.6% respectively, compared to February 2013. In February 2014, motor fuel was 4.6% cheaper than in the same month last year. Compared to February 2013, of food products, the prices of fresh vegetables and fish have increased the most (14% and 12%, respectively) and the prices of coffee and sugar have decreased the most (16% and 13%, respectively).

In February compared to January, the consumer price index was mainly influenced by the 1.8% price decrease of electricity, heat energy and fuel, by the 1.4% price increase of alcoholic beverages and tobacco, and by the end of the sales of clothing and footwear. Cigarettes with the new excise stamps arrived in most stores. Compared to January, the prices of Chinese cabbage increased the most (47%) and the prices of oranges decreased the most (17%).