In Belarus, inflation breaks new records. The result would have been even better if vodka and meat had not grown

In Belarus, annual inflation continues to fall – in June, it was 4.1% in annual terms. Recall, in May this indicator updated the historical minimum and was at the level of 4.4%. Slowdown in price growth last month was possible due to lower prices for fruits and vegetables in annual terms, notes the National Bank. However, inflation would be even lower if prices for vodka and meat did not increase and if the cost of preschool services did not increase.

– The prices of fruits and vegetables in June 2018 decreased by 4.4% compared to June 2017 under the effect of the strong base of the previous year (at second quarter 2017, under the influence of adverse weather conditions).

At the same time, the price of administratively regulated rates and rates increased annually, from 8.9% in May to 9.1% in June of this year. The reason – increase in the price of vodka . According to Belstat, this liquor in June rose by 0.5% nationwide, especially in Minsk (+ 2.1%). At the same time, in the Mogilev and Brest oblasts, prices of vodka fell in June.

"In addition, the increase in the cost of preschool services for the summer period contributed significantly to the monthly rise in prices in this segment ", declared the regulator. According to Belstat, the prices of these services for the whole of June increased by 9.8%. At the same time, growth in all regions was over 9%.

At the same time, the annual base inflation, which reflects the dynamics of free prices without taking into account the positions, whose prices are subject to administrative and seasonal influence
factors) in June of this year rose to 3.1 percent (2.9 percent a month earlier). "At the same time, the accelerated rise in prices of meat and meat products had a significant impact on the variation of the index ." Excluding this group of goods, the "I & # 39; annual core inflation would remain at 2.9% ", explains the National Bank.

Thus, in June, meat and meat products throughout the country, according to Belstat, increased by 1.44%% Thus, the prices of semi-finished poultry meat increased by 6, 8% last month, for chickens (including broilers) – 6.3%, meatballs – 2.4%, meat cutlets – 1.6%, meat pies and pancakes, chebureks, white, cabbage – 1,5%, ham, cold-cooked pork, ham – 1,3%, sausages – 1,2%, liver and blood sausage – 1,1%, lard and bad – from 1.1%, boneless beef – 1%.

Pork (except boneless) decreased 0.3% in June, pork stuffing 0.4%, pork stew 4.7%, by-products meat (with the exception of poultry offal) – 0.3%, poultry by-products – 0.1%, smoked sausage – 1.1%.

If we look at the regions, it is in June that meat and meat products have increased the most in the Gomel region – 2.2% . According to this indicator, the regions of Brest and Vitebsk are respectively 2.1% and 1.5%. Last month, these products increased by 0.7% in the Grodno region. In Minsk – 0.8%.

For example, chickens were the most expensive in the Vitebsk region – by 10.3% and meatballs – in Minsk (+ 6.1%).

Recall, in June, the prices of goods and services in Belarus rose by 0.4%. In January-June, inflation was 2.9%. Last month, food products rose 0.7%