In March, personal consumption products and services saw an average increase of 2.6 percent compared to the same month last year, as per Monstat data.

Compared to February, consumer prices rose by an average of 0.3 percent in March.

“The primary contributors to the monthly inflation rate included price hikes in areas such as real rent for primary residences, restaurants, fruits, pharmaceuticals, vegetables, coffee, tea, cocoa, sugar, jams, honey, chocolates, and sweets,” the statement noted.

From January to March, consumer prices averaged 2.7 percent higher compared to the same period last year.

When analyzing main product and service groups by consumption purpose, March saw an increase in healthcare prices by 3.2 percent, followed by restaurants and hotels at 1.2 percent, food and non-alcoholic beverages at 0.5 percent, housing, water, electricity, gas, and other fuels at 0.4 percent, alcoholic beverages and tobacco at 0.3 percent, and other goods and services at 0.2 percent. Recreation and culture saw a 0.1 percent growth.

However, a decline in prices was observed in transportation, which dropped by 1 percent, as well as in furniture, household equipment, and routine home maintenance, which decreased by 0.5 percent.

Prices for other products and services did not experience significant changes.

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