Azernews.Az

By Mushvig Mehdiyev

Monthly and annual inflation rates in Georgia are on the rise as March indices pointed with a nearly 2.6 percent annual increase on the prices of food products and services.

The monthly inflation rate in Georgia reached 1.2 percent, according to the National Statistics Office of Georgia.

In comparison, in February this year the monthly inflation rate reached 0.1 percent and the annual inflation rate equaled to 1.3 percent.

Information released this week by Geostat showed that food and non-alcoholic beverages, furnishings and household equipment, and transport were the groups that were mainly responsible for the inflation rate increase in March.

The cost of food and non-alcoholic beverages increased by 1.2 percent last month, contributing 0.37 percent to the overall monthly index.

Prices for furnishings, household equipment and the routine maintenance of houses rose by 4.4 percent last month. This increase was mainly due to the 9.7 percent price increase on all major household appliances, noted Geostat.

The cost of transport services in March was 1.3 percent higher than in February. Furthermore, prices increased by 4.6 percent on the purchase of vehicles.

Price rises for food and non-alcoholic beverages, health, and alcoholic beverages and tobacco alongside the costs of transport were the largest contributors to the annual inflation rate change, claimed Geostat.

In the reported period, prices in the health sector increased by 6 percent. The increase was mainly observed in prices of medical products, appliances and equipment (9.1 percent), out-patient services (4.7 percent) and hospital services (4.6 percent).

The cost of alcohol and tobacco products grew by 9.9 percent in March, showing comparatively more hike in prices.

- - -

Follow Mushvig Mehdiyev on Twitter: @Mushviggo

Follow us on Twitter: @Azernews