The country’s consumer prices saw annual rises of 9.62% and 9.31% in January 2026 and in February 2026, respectively. The peak of 9.9% was reached in August and September 2025, in line with INS data.
Against February 2026, consumer prices edged 0.7% higher in March 2026.
The quarterly inflation rate in the first quarter of 2026 compared to the same period of 2025 was 9.6%.
The evolution of inflation in March 2026 came amid a 7.6% increase in food prices, a 10.9% advance in prices of non-food items and an 11% increase in services prices.
For foodstuffs, the biggest price increases year-on-year were registered for coffee (+23%), fresh fruit (+14%), sugar products, sweets and honey (+11%), cow’s milk (+9.7%), bread (9.8%), beef (+11%) and eggs (nearly 15%). Beer and wine prices rose by 7.7% and 6%, respectively.
Instead, potatoes got 11% cheaper, while beans and flour prices dropped by 5%-3%.
For non-food items, electricity is 57% more expensive against March 2025. Prices also increased for thermal energy (+13.4%), medicines (+4%) and fuel (+13%).
In the services sector, the largest price increases were registered for train tickets (+24%), water supply, sewage and sanitation (+15%), hygiene and cosmetics (+14%), as well as for other industrial services (+15%). Medical assistance got 12% more expensive, urban transportation and road interurban transportation saw price hikes of 8.8% and 9%, respectively, rentals rates advanced 8% and postal services tariffs jumped 9.79% over the last year. Instead, plane tickets got on average 7.5% cheaper and natural gas prices dropped 7% in March 2026 compared to March 2025.
Starting 2026, gambling is included in the calculation of the consumer price index (CPI), with tariffs growing by 1.50% in March 2026 versus February 2026 and by 5.78% against December 2025, INS data also show.
The inflation rate since the beginning of the year (March 2026 compared to December 2025) is 2.3%.
The average rate of change in consumer prices over the last 12 months (April 2025-March 2026) compared to the previous 12 months (April 2024-March 2025) is 8.5%.
The Harmonized Index of Consumer Prices in March 2026 compared to February 2026 is 100.92%.
The HICP-based annual inflation rate in March 2026 compared to March 2025 is 9.0%.
The average rate of change in consumer prices over the last 12 months (April 2025-March 2026) compared to the previous 12 months (April 2024-March 2025) is 7.6%.