Three per cent inflation in April

The inflation rate last month stood at three per cent, the National Statistics Office said.

It said the Retail Prices Index went up by 1.16 per cent last month to 110.32 from 109.05 in March.

The food items index increased by 0.49 per cent to 107.42 from 106.90 in March as a result of average price increases in respect of beef/pork meat, frozen meat, prepared and processed meat, cheese, refined oils, unprocessed potatoes and vegetables.

Price reductions were registered for fresh fish and fresh fruits.

The beverages and tobacco index went up by 0.18 per cent to 116.64 from 116.43 in the previous month. Higher average prices were recorded for non-alcoholic beverages and served non-alcoholic beverages.

At 93.54, the clothing and footwear index increased by 3.39 per cent from 90.47 in March. Price increases were registered for men's, boys', women's and girls' outerwear and men's and women's footwear.

The housing index rose by 1.69 per cent to 116.76 from 114.82 in the previous month.

This increase resulted from price changes in dwelling maintenance and repair services, various construction works and parts of household appliances. The household equipment and house maintenance cost index registered an increase of 0.08 per cent to 104.87 from 104.79 in March. Price increases for household appliances were also registered.

Increased average costs for fuels, maintenance and repair services of cars, land transport services and air transport services resulted in an increase of 2.36 per cent to 112.54 in the transport and communications index.

The personal care and health index went up by 0.56 per cent to 115.15 from 114.51 in the previous month.

Higher prices were recorded for medicines, hospital services and hygienic articles, toilet preparations and make-up articles.

Higher prices for water sports equipment, sports equipment and education expenses pushed up the recreation and culture index by 0.69 per cent to 101.14 from 100.45 in March.

Price reductions were recorded for audio visual equipment.

The other goods and services index increased to 117.44 from 117.05, a rise of 0.33 per cent over the previous month. Price increases were recorded for jewellery, watches and clocks.