Greece’s annual inflation rate slowed significantly to 4.4% in June from 5.2% in May, though it remained above the 2.8% recorded in June last year, as food price increases eased despite higher energy costs, the Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT) said on Thursday.
Interestingly, the European Statistics Authority EUROSTAT that obtains data from the national states had “predicted” the June inflation at 3.9%.
According to ELSTAT, the slowdown reflected relatively contained increases in food prices and some services, although energy prices continued to rise on an annual basis.
Among food products, the largest annual price increases were recorded for beef (15.6%), lamb and goat meat (16.2%), poultry (4.7%), processed meat products (5%), preserved fish (11.1%), dairy products and eggs (2.4%), margarine and other vegetable fats (9.7%), fruit (4%), vegetables (0.5%), fruit juices (6.5%) and coffee (4.3%). Bread and bakery products rose by 1.6%. By contrast, olive oil prices fell by 12.8% from a year earlier.
Annual price increases were also recorded for clothing and footwear (0.5%), housing rents (7.1%), home maintenance and repair (5.3%), household services (5.8%), package holidays (5.3%), restaurants, cafes and fast-food outlets (8.3%), health insurance (7%), motor insurance (1.9%), hairdressing and personal care services (4%) and jewelry and watches (15.8%).
Energy prices continued to rise, with electricity up 2.8%, natural gas 24.6%, heating oil 53.2%, diesel fuel 12%, petrol 12.8% and other fuels 18.1%. Air passenger transport prices increased by 15.6% over the year.
source: ELSTAT
