The increase was due to higher prices for food and fuel, in spite of lower prices for certain services.
In April and May 2008, inflation tempered slightly to 8.64 percent, after an 8.63 percent peak in March. “In June we will probably see a drop in monthly inflation, down to 0.3 percent, and an acceleration up to 8.64 year-on-year,” according to Credit Europe Bank Analyst Georgiana Constantinescu.
Banca Comerciala Romana (BCR) Chief Analyst Lucian Anghel estimates 8.5-8.7 percent annual inflation in June, and a new peak in July, up to 9.4-9.5 percent. “July is very important, as a signal, for the prices of foodstuffs, as we could see lower prices, which could partially compensate for higher gas and electricity prices,” Anghel said.
Other analysts foresee an inflation peak of up to 10 percent in July, caused by higher energy prices. The National Institute of Statistics (INS) is to publish official data today on June inflation.
