Analytics, Latvia, Retail, Statistics

Over the year, prices within the group of food and non-alcoholic beverages increased by 2.2%, which was influenced by the increase of the price level for fresh fruit (up by 23.0%), mainly apples and oranges. Prices also increased for dried, salted or smoked meat (of 6.1%), as well as meat products (3.7%).  Coffee (rise of 3.7%), bakery products (2.6%), bread (1.9%), buckwheat (21.7%) and breakfast cereals (12.6%) became more expensive. Decline, in turn, was registered in prices of poultry (of 5.8%), potatoes (12.2%), fresh vegetables (2.7%) and chocolate (1.0%). 

Prices of goods and services related to housing dropped by 4.3%.  The fall in prices was mainly due to cheaper heat energy, natural gas, electricity, solid fuels and rentals for housing. Maintenance charges in multi-occupied buildings, as well as services for the maintenance and repairs of the dwelling became more expensive.

In the health care group, the average level of prices increased by 2.6%, which was mainly influenced by the increase in prices of dental services, prices in general medical practice, as well as prices in medical specialist practice. The fall was registered in prices of pharmaceutical products, mainly reimbursable medical products.

Prices of goods and services related to transport declined by 4.3%, which was affected by the drop in prices of fuels by 11.6%. Diesel was 13.3% cheaper. Prices of petrol and auto gas decreased by 9.7%. During the year, passenger transport by air became cheaper, while prices for passenger transport by road increased.

Goods and services related to recreation and culture became more expensive by 2.3%. Over the year price level increased for cultural services, recreational and sporting services, flowers and personal computers.

The average level of restaurant and hotel service prices increased by 2.4%.  Price rise was mainly affected by catering services, as the average level of restaurant and café service prices increased by 2.6% and that of canteen services by 5.2%. In turn, prices of hotel services decreased by 17.3% over the year.

In the group of miscellaneous goods and services prices decreased by 1.6%, which was mainly due to the fall in prices for motor vehicle insurance, articles for personal hygiene and beauty products. Hairdressing salons and personal grooming establishment services became more expensive.

Among other commodity groups, the most notable decline in prices was for beer and clothing, while prices for tobacco products increased.