Inflation data: Food, transport, housing and health-related prices increase in Georgia

Prices of milk products, meat, fish, coffee, tea and cocoa have increased in Georgia year-on-year, shows the latest inflation data from the National Statistics Office of Georgia (Geostat).

A decrease was noted in prices for sugar, jam, honey, chocolate and confectionary (-3.7 percent), said Geostat.

In April 2018 the prices of food and non-alcoholic beverages increased by 2.1 percent, contributing 0.66 percentage points to annual inflation.

Prices decreased for the following subgroups:

• Fruit and grapes (19.7 percent),
• Oils and fats (3.5 percent)
• Meat (3.2 percent)
• Fish (2.4 percent)
• Milk, cheese and eggs (2.1 percent)
• Coffee, tea and cocoa (1.6 percent)

Transport-related costs increased by 2.9 percent. Prices within the group increased for the operation of personal transport equipment (4.4 percent) and for transport services (1.9 percent).

In the group of alcoholic beverages and tobacco, prices also increased by 5.6 percent. Prices within the group increased for tobacco by 11 percent.

Prices in the group of housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels, increased by 4.6 percent. Prices were up for:

• Water supply and miscellaneous services relating to the dwelling (7.7 percent)
• Electricity, gas and other fuels (5.2 percent)

Health-related prices increased by 4.1 percent, said Geostat. Prices increased for the following subgroups:

Medical products, appliances and equipment (5.3 percent)

• Out-patient services (4.5 percent)
• Hospital services (2.4 percent)

In general, in April 2018 the monthly inflation rate amounted to -0.2 percent. Compared to the same month of the previous year the Consumer Price Index change (annual inflation rate) posted a 2.5 percent increase.