Consumer prices were up 0.5% in May 2021 compared with April 2021.
Food prices grew 1.5%, service prices climbed 2.7%, while prices of non-food items were 5.7% higher in May 2021 compared with May 2020.
The average consumer price rate over the last 12 months (June 2020-May 2021) as compared to the previous 12 months (June 2019-May 2020) is 2.8%.
The inflation rate since the beginning of the year (May 2021 compared to December 2020) is 3.1%. The highest price increases were recorded this year by electricity (+17% versus December 2020), edible oil (13%), fuel (11%), medical services, hygiene and cosmetic services and mail services (5%). Instead, plane ticket prices fell by 16%, natural gas prices by 2%, citrus and other southern fruit prices by nearly 10% and potato prices by 32%.
The Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices (HICP) in May 2021 compared to April 2021 is 100.56%. The HICP-based annual inflation rate in May 2021 compared to May 2020 is 3.2%. The HICP-based average consumer price rate over the last 12 months (June 2020-May 2021) as compared to the previous 12 months (June 2019-May 2020) is 2.3%.