INS: Inflation down slightly in April, to 8.62 percent

Prices rose 6.3 percent on average in the May 2007 - April 2008 period compared to May 2006 – April 2007, based on the consumer price index, and 6.4 percent on the basis of the harmonized index of consumer prices.

While prices on foodstuffs increased 1.1 percent in April compared to March and those for non-foodstuffs rose 0.5 percent, costs for services dropped 0.4 percent. 

The consumer price index for products with regulated prices, such as medications, energy, transportation, landline phone services, radio-TV subscriptions, and public transportation was 0.7 percent.

Analysts calculated an annual price rise of between 8.4 percent and 8.71 percent in April, and do not exclude that inflation could reach some 9 percent in July, due to higher prices for gas and electrical energy.