The peak, of 9.9%, was reached in August and September 2025, in line with INS data.
Against January 2026, consumer prices edged 0.6% higher in February 2026.
The evolution of inflation in February 2026 came amid an 11% increase in services prices, a 7.9% advance in food prices and 9.4% in prices of non-food items.
For foodstuffs, the biggest price increases year-on-year were registered for cocoa and coffee (+26%), fresh fruit (+16%), eggs (+14%), sugar products, sweets and honey (+13.55%), beef (+11.79%) and pork (11%). Instead, potatoes got 12% cheaper, and flour and corn flour prices dropped by 2%-3%.
For non-food items, electricity is 56% more expensive against February 2025. Prices also increased for thermal energy (+13%), newspapers and magazines (+ 10%), detergents (+9.01%), and tobacco and cigarettes (+7.47%).
In the services sector, the largest increases were registered for train tickets (+24%), water supply, sewage and sanitation (+17%), hygiene and cosmetics (+15%), car repairs (+14%) and restaurants (+11%). The only price decrease in February 2026 against February 2025 was posted for plane tickets (-3%).
The inflation rate since the beginning of the year (February 2026 compared to December 2025) is 1.5%
The average rate of change in consumer prices over the last 12 months (March 2025-February 2026) compared to the previous 12 months (March 2024-February 2025) is 8.1%.
The Harmonized Index of Consumer Prices in February 2026 compared to January 2026 is 0.57%.
The HICP-based annual inflation rate in February 2026 compared to February 2025 is 8.3%.
The average rate of change in consumer prices over the last 12 months (March 2025-February 2026) compared to the previous 12 months (March 2024-February 2025) is 7.3%.
Romania’s central bank (BNR) recently revised upwards its inflation forecast for the end of 2026, to 3.9% from 3.7% previously. According to estimates presented in February by central bank governor Mugur Isarescu, the inflation rate is expected to reach 2.7% by the end of 2027.