Annual inflation fell in April for the first time since the beginning of the year – RBC

At a grocery store in Moscow

Photo: TASS

April was the first month of 2015, which resulted in annual inflation in Russia has decreased. As the message of Rosstat, in April, consumer prices in Russia increased by 0.5%, the lowest level since August 2014. As a result, grown the previous three months, annual inflation declined to 16.4%, while the results of its March figure was 16,9%.

According to the official forecast of the Ministry of Economic Development, the peak of the annual inflation rate of 17-17.5 % should come at the end of the first – the second quarter of 2015, and by the end of the year inflation will be 12-12,4%.

Since the beginning of 2015, consumer prices in Russia increased by 7.9%, which about two and a half times the level of January-April last year.

In six regions of Russia, consumer prices in April rose by 1% or more. In Moscow, they grew by 0.5% (YTD – 8.5%), St. Petersburg – 0.4% (YTD – 8,9%).

The prices for products in April 2015 grew even more slowly than last year – this month they rose by only 0.3% compared to 1.3% in April 2014. As a result, annual food inflation declined from 23% to 21,9%.

The most noticeable in March 2015 fell cucumbers (-18%), bananas (13%), oranges (-5.9 %), grapes (-4.6%) and potatoes (-2.1%). Over the month, fruits and vegetables fell by 3.7%, despite the fact that prices for cabbage increased on average by 5.4%, and carrots – on 4,2%.

At the same time prices for sugar decreased by 2.9%, eggs – by 1.3%, buckwheat and cheese – by 1.4%, poultry – by 1%.

However, the decline in prices for these products could not compensate for the increase of other products. Meat prices in the past month increased by 0.2%, fish – by 1.5-1.7%, 3-4% – coffee, tea, ice cream. The Rosstat emphasizes that “sandwiches such as” Hamburger “in fast food companies rose by an average of 1,4%.

Most of non-food goods rose again. In April 2015, according to Rosstat, prices have fallen only on some medication, upholstered furniture, TV sets, refrigerators, laptops, electric irons and coal (-0,1-0,7%), flowers (-1.7%) and metal roofing (-2,1%).

At the same time, for example, the spring and summer shoes and clothing rose immediately to 2.5-3.7%, and bicycles – just 5-7%.

The strengthening of the ruble exchange rate (in April the dollar fell by almost 7 rub.) led to lower prices on tours abroad. In April trip to China, according to Rosstat, became cheaper by 7.4%, excursions to France and on holiday in Turkey – by 5.4% and 5.3%, respectively.