The Ministry of Antimonopoly Regulation and Trade commented on the March inflation

April 15, MINSK. The Ministry of Antimonopoly Regulation and Trade commented on the price situation in the consumer market in March, BelTA informs citing the MART press service.

"The increase in consumer prices this March compared to March last year amounted to 15.9%, compared to December 2021 - 9.4%, compared to February 2022 - 6.1%. High rates of price growth in March are due to an increase in negative the impact from the deterioration of external economic conditions: the strengthening of the sanctions policy, the acceleration of world prices for raw materials and materials, including oil , a significant weakening of the Russian ruble and the acceleration of inflationary processes in RUSSIA, the weakening of the Belarusian ruble," the press service noted.

In March, the acceleration of annual inflation is noted due to an increase in the contribution, first of all, of imported food and non-food products. The largest acceleration of annual growth rates in March is observed for electrical goods (up to 21.5% over the past 12 months), synthetic detergents (23.5%), fruits and vegetables (41.6% due to the rise in prices for imported bananas, citrus fruits), fish and fish products (18.2%).

A slowdown in the annual growth rate of prices in March is noted for MEAT and meat products by 0.3%, to 15.6%, vegetable oil by 1.2%, to 7.2%. The decrease in prices is observed for SALT - by 4.5%.

"In the Russian Federation, inflation as of April 1 reached 16.7% in annual terms. There is an acceleration in the growth of consumer prices in the countries of the European Union. For example, in Germany, annual inflation in March accelerated by 2.2%, to 7.3%, in Spain - by 2.2%, up to 9.8%, in Lithuania - by 1.6%, up to 15.6%. %, soybean meal - by about 30%.The growth of world food prices in March 2022 compared to March 2021 as a whole accelerated to 31.4% (19.1% a month earlier), including for cereals - to 35%, oils - 53.5%, SUGAR - 20.6%, meat - 17.1%," the ministry said.

Over the month (March to February 2022), imported fruits rose in price by 24.9% (bananas - by 34.7%, citrus fruits - 31.7%), fish and fish products - by 8.3%, rice - by 9, 6%, grapes - by 27.8%. There is also an increase in the cost of tariffs for passenger air transport services - by 21%, tourist services - 25.1%.

In relation to the previous month, in March, in the group of food products, a seasonal increase in prices for fruits and vegetables was noted: tomatoes rose in price by 44.7%, sweet peppers - by 59.8%. At the same time, a positive trend is observed for cucumbers: cucumbers fell in price by about 30.7% over the month.

In March, despite the growth of imported costs, the annual growth of permanently regulated prices (tariffs) remained at a single digit level - 9.3%.

A significant contribution in March was made by the increase in fuel prices (5.7% compared to the previous month). There is also an increase in prices for alcoholic beverages by 3.8%, tariffs for transport services have been increased by 11.4% (due to the increase in the cost of international transportation).