Inflation in Latvia: fresh vegetables become 18.3% more expensive in December 2021

Compared to December 2020, the average level of consumer prices increased by 7.9 % in December 2021.
The greatest pressure on the average price level changes compared to December 2020 was put by the rise in prices of goods and services related to housing, goods and services related to transport, prices of food and non-alcoholic beverages, goods and services related to recreation and culture, alcoholic beverages and tobacco products, clothing and footwear, furnishings as well as within the group of miscellaneous goods and services in December 2021 , according to the latest data of the Central Statistical Bureau (CSP).
Over the year, prices within the group of food and non-alcoholic beverages increased by 7.2 %.
Price rise of fresh vegetables (18.3 %) had the strongest upward influence on the average price level within the group.
More expensive was cheese and curd (12.3%), milk (18.8 %), milk products (12.8 %), yoghurt (17.0 %), eggs (2.9 %). Prices also increased for bread (8.0 %), flours and other cereals (29.3 %), bakery products (3.8 %), pasta products (12.7 %), rice (12.9 %). Price increase was for potatoes (38.9 %), vegetable oil (26.5 %), dried, salted or smoked meat (2.9 %), ice cream (10.6 %), butter (13.3 %). Prices rose also for jams and honey (10.4 %), poultry (2.2 %), olive oil (10.1 %), preserved or processed fish and seafood-based preparations (4.8 %), sauces and condiments (9.0 %) as well as margarine (14.7 %). In turn, prices decreased for pork (10.9 %) and chocolate (1.0 %).
The average price level of alcoholic beverages and tobacco products increased by 2.9 %. Over the year, prices of alcoholic beverages increased by 2.4 %, mainly due to higher prices of spirits, beer and wine. Prices for tobacco products rose by 3.8 %. The increase in prices over the year was also influenced by higher excise duty on alcoholic beverages and tobacco as of 1 March 2021.
In the group of clothing and footwear, prices increased by 3.8 %. Prices for garments rose on average by 3.1 %, but footwear prices – by 5.7 %.
The average price level of goods and services related to housing went up by 16.0%, which was mainly influenced by the increase in the prices of several public utilities services. Over the year, the most significant price rise was for electricity, heat energy, and natural gas. More expensive were solid fuels, services for the maintenance and repair of dwelling, materials for the maintenance and repair of the dwelling, rentals for housing, refuse collection, maintenance charges in multi-occupied buildings as well as water supply.
In the furnishings group, the prices went up by 4.9 % on average, which was mainly influenced by the increase in the prices of household furniture, household cleaning and maintenance products, as well as household textiles.
Over the year, prices of goods and services related to transport increased by 14.8 %, which was affected by the rise in prices of fuels for transport by 30.3 %. Diesel prices rose by 29.4 %, petrol by 28.9 % and auto gas by 45.9 %. An increase of prices was also observed for motor cars, maintenance and repair of personal transport equipment as well as spare parts and accessories for personal transport equipment.
Goods and services related to recreation and culture became more expensive by 4.0 %. The price level of flowers, recreational and sporting services, television subscription fee, pet food, toys as well as magazines went up.
Prices within the miscellaneous goods and services group rose by 4.0 % on average, mainly due to rise of prices for hairdressing salons and personal grooming establishment services, articles for personal hygiene and beauty products as well as motor vehicle insurance.
Among other commodity groups, the most notable rise was registered in prices of catering services, dental services, telecommunication services, medical specialist practice and hotel services. In turn, prices dropped for pharmaceutical products.
In December 2021, compared to November 2021, the average level of consumer prices increased by 0.4 %. The greatest pressure on the average price level changes was put by the rise in prices of food and non-alcoholic beverages, prices of goods and services related to housing, goods and services related to recreation and culture, restaurant and hotel services as well as the drop in prices of goods and services related to transport, clothing and footwear and within the miscellaneous goods and services group.
During the month, prices for food and non-alcoholic beverages increased by 1.5 %. The increase of average level of consumer prices was mainly influenced by the rise in prices of bread (4.0 %), flour and other cereals (6.8 %). More expensive was cheese and curd (3.7 %), milk products (3.2 %), fresh vegetables (2.0 %), milk (2.5 %). Mainly due to the end of promotions, prices increased for fruit and vegetable juices (6.5 %), poultry (1.9 %), dried, salted or smoked meat (1.0 %), jams and honey (6.2 %), butter (4.1 %), fresh or chilled fish (5.6 %). The average price level fell for fresh fruit (1.8 %), potatoes (5.1 %), pork (2.4 %) and eggs (2.3 %).
In the group of clothing and footwear, prices decreased by 1.3 %. Mainly due to the sales, the average price level of garments dropped by 0.9 % and of footwear – by 2.7 %.
The average price level of goods and services related to housing went up by 1.6 %, which was mainly influenced by the increase of electricity prices. More expensive were solid fuels and heat energy.
Prices of goods and services related to transport decreased by 1.0 %, which was affected by the drop in prices of fuels for transport by 3.5 %. Diesel prices dropped by 5.0 %, petrol by 2.5 % whereas the prices of auto gas rose by 2.1 %. The price level rose for passenger transport by air and second-hand motor cars.
Prices of goods and services related to recreation and culture increased by 0.4 % on average, which was influenced by price increases for flowers, stationery and drawing materials as well as television subscription fee. Toys and pet food were cheaper due to the sales.
In the restaurant and hotel services group, the average price level increased by 0.4 %, which was influenced by price rise for hotel services and catering services.
In the group of miscellaneous goods and services, prices decreased by 1.4 % on average, which was mainly due to the sales of the articles for personal hygiene and beauty products. Motor vehicle insurance became more expensive.
In other consumer groups, the most significant price increase was for spirits, while prices fell for pharmaceutical products and non-electric kitchen utensils and articles.
Compared to 2015, consumer prices were 16.8 % higher in December 2021. Prices of goods rose by 15.8 %, while prices of services – by 18.8 %.