Inflation in Poland remains in double digits, way above the central bank's target. According to the country's Central Statistical Office (Statistics Poland), the highest year-on-year spike was recorded in the price of sugar, heating, milk, and eggs. There are, however, some products which became less expensive.
Statistics Poland said in a press release on Friday (April 14) that inflation in March 2023 was at 16.1% compared to March 2022 (with an increase of prices of goods – by 17.1% and services – by 13.3%). This is a slightly higher increase in consumer prices than predicted in the flash estimate released in late-March (16.2% yoy).
Compared to February 2023, consumer prices in Poland increased by 1.1% (of which goods – by 1.2% and services – by 0.8%).
"In March of the current year, compared with the previous month, the highest contribution to the total consumer price index came from higher prices related to food (by 2.3%), clothing and footwear (by 5.0%) and alcoholic beverages and tobacco (by 1.8%), which increased the index by 0.58 pp, 0.19 pp and 0.10 pp, respectively," Statistics Poland said in the press release.
"Lower prices related to transport (by 0.9%) and recreation and culture (by 0.3%) decreased the index by 0.08 pp and 0.02 pp, respectively," we read.
"Compared with the corresponding month of the previous year, higher prices related to food (by 24.6%), dwelling (by 18.5%), recreation and culture (by 16.4%) and restaurants and hotels (by 16.9%) increased the index by 5.90 pp, 4.60 pp, 1.00 pp and 0.85 pp, respectively," the stats office added.
Inflation in March - detailed data
According to detailed data by Statistics Poland, prices of sugar went up the most - by 81.5%. Sugar had also been on top of the list in February 2023. Energy prices increased by 40.7% year on year.
Prices of milk were higher by 37.5%, compared to March 2022, whereas eggs - by 37.2%.
Other more expensive products, compared to March 2022, include: flour (by 29.9%), rice (28.5%), and bread (25.6%), pasta products (23%), pork (26%), dried, salted or smoked meat (22.8%), vegetables (28.6%), and fruit (16.8%).
Prices of liquid and solid fuels increased by 32.4%, while electric energy prices went up by 22.4%.
According to Statistics Poland, costs of domestic and international travel also increased - by 18.7% and 23.1% respectively.
There were some exceptions, however. Prices of diesel decreased by 1.8% year on year, whereas prices of liquid petroleum gas and other fuels for personal transport equipment went down by 8.5%.
In a month-on-month comparison, prices of vegetables increased by 7%, whereas footwear prices - by 6%.
Źródło: TVN24 News in English, Statistics Poland
Źródło zdjęcia głównego: Shutterstock