In September 2022, compared to September 2021, the average level of consumer prices increased by 22.2 %.
Compared to September 2021, the average level of consumer prices was mainly influenced by the rise in prices of goods and services related to housing, food and non-alcoholic beverages, goods and services related to transport, within the miscellaneous goods and services group, restaurant and hotel services, goods and services related to recreation and culture, health care, alcoholic beverages and tobacco products, furnishings in September 2022, according to the latest data from the Central Statistical Bureau of Latvia.
Over the year, prices within the group of food and non-alcoholic beverages increased by 27.5 %.
Price rise for bread (37.1 %), bakery products (25.5 %), flours and other cereals (62.2 %), pasta products (41.1 %), rice (37.8 %) and cereals (11.8 %) had the strongest upward influence on the average price level within the group. Prices of cheese and curd (38.7 %), milk products (41.0 %), milk (43.7 %), eggs (26.9 %) and yoghurt (24.6 %) went up. Increase over the year was observed in prices of poultry (35.7 %), dried, salted or smoked meat (19.9 %), pork (12.4 %), meat preparations (20.6 %) and beef (31.3 %). Rise in prices was registered for coffee (35.8 %), butter (51.5 %), fresh fruit (14.2 %), sugar (65.3 %), vegetable oil (51.8 %), ice cream (27.9 %) and chocolate (21.3 %). Increase was observed in prices of preserved or processed fish and seafood-based preparations (24.3 %), fresh vegetables (5.1 %), sauces and condiments (36.2 %), jams and honey (19.0 %), fruit and vegetable juices (12.5 %), sweets (25.3 %), frozen fish (34.0 %), salt and spices (34.4 %), fresh or chilled fish (23.2 %), crisps (45.0 %), soft drinks (15.8 %), ready-made meals (26.9 %), margarine (32.6 %), dried, other preserved or processed vegetables (16.6 %), dried fruit and nuts (16.2 %), mineral water (15.1 %), olive oil (13.9 %).
The average level of alcoholic beverage and tobacco product prices rose by 5.9 %.
As prices of spirits, wine and beer went up, prices of alcoholic beverages increased by 6.6 %. Over the year average increase of 4.6 % was observed in prices of tobacco products.
Average level of prices of goods and services related to housing rose by 51.6 %. Over the year, the most significant rise in the prices was for electricity, heat energy, solid fuels and natural gas. Upturn was recorded in prices of refuse collection, materials for the maintenance and repair of the dwelling, water supply, sewage collection, services for the maintenance and repair of the dwelling, maintenance charges in multi-occupied buildings, as well as in rentals for housing.
Within the furnishings group prices rose on average by 11.6 %, mainly due to the more expensive household cleaning and maintenance products, household furniture, major household appliances, non-electric kitchen utensils and articles as well as dishes.
The average level of health care prices grew by 7.9 %.
Over the year, prices of dental services, pharmaceutical products, prices in medical specialist practice, services of medical analysis laboratories and x-ray centres as well as for glasses and contact lenses went up.
Prices of goods and services related to transport increased by 21.9 %, which was determined by the rise in prices of fuels for transport by 37.4 %.
Prices of diesel rose by 45.3 %, of petrol – by 28.7 %, but of auto gas – by 21.4 %.
Upturn was recorded in prices of maintenance and repair of personal transport equipment, spare parts and accessories for personal transport equipment, second-hand motor cars, passenger transport by road, passenger transport by air as well as new motor cars.
Prices of goods and services related to recreation and culture rose by 7.8 %. During the year, prices increased for pet food, package holidays, recreational and sporting services, flowers, television subscription fee, stationery and drawing materials as well as newspapers and magazines.
The average level of restaurant and hotel service prices went up by 17.5 %. Increase was observed in prices of catering services, of which prices of restaurant and café services rose by 15.5 %, of canteen services – by 15.5 % and of fast food services – by 17.8 %. Rise was also observed in prices of hotel services.
Within the miscellaneous goods and services group, prices increased by 15.3 %, which was most significantly affected by the rise in prices of articles for personal hygiene and beauty products. Motor vehicle insurance, hairdressing and personal grooming establishment services, financial services were more expensive as well.
Among other commodity groups, the most notable rise was registered in prices of garments, telecommunication services and pre-primary education.
Compared to August 2022, the average level of consumer prices increased by 1.6 % in September 2022.
The greatest pressure on the price level changes was put by the rise in prices of goods and services related to housing, food and non-alcoholic beverages, clothing and footwear, within the miscellaneous goods and services group, education, furnishings, goods and services related to recreation and culture, as well as drop in prices of goods and services related to transport.
Over the month, prices of food and non-alcoholic beverages grew by 2.0 %. The most significant price rise was registered for bread (5.7 %), mainly for wheat bread. As the promotions ended, coffee (5.3 %) as well as dried, salted or smoked meat (2.9 %) became more expensive. Prices of cheese and curd (4.2 %), pork (4.7 %), milk (4.1 %), poultry (2.8 %), milk products (2.7 %), butter (6.7 %) and preserved or processed fish and seafood-based preparations (7.0 %) went up. Prices also rose for sugar (6.2 %), vegetable oil (4.4 %), frozen fish (9.1 %), fresh fruit (1.1 %), sauces and condiments (4.6 %). Due to the end of special offers, increase was recorded in prices of chocolate (2.9 %) and eggs (2.1 %). Under the influence of seasonal factors fresh vegetables (5.5 %) and potatoes (11.8 %) had the most significant price drop within the group. Downturn was also registered in prices of fresh or chilled fish (9.4 %).
Prices within clothing and footwear group went up by 4.8 %.
With the autumn season’s collections entering the market, prices of garments increased by 3.6 %, of footwear – by 9.0 %.
Average level of prices of goods and services related to housing rose by 2.7 %. During the month the most significant price rise in the group was registered for heat energy (9.2 %) Despite the cancellation of mandatory procurement and capacity components (MPC), the average level of electricity prices in September grew by 1.8 %. Prices rose also for solid fuels, materials for the maintenance and repair of the dwelling, as well as services for the maintenance and repair of dwelling.
In turn, rentals for housing became cheaper.
Within the furnishings group prices rose on average by 2.3 %. Due to the end of sales, increase was recorded in prices of household cleaning and maintenance products, non-electric kitchen utensils and articles.
Prices of goods and services related to transport on average decreased by 1.4 %, which was mainly affected by the fall in prices of fuels for transport by 2.1 %. Prices of petrol dropped by 5.8 %, of auto gas – by 0.4 %, but of diesel – increased by 0.4 %. Prices of passenger transport by air went down. During the month upturn was recorded in prices of maintenance and repair of personal transport equipment.
The average price level of goods and services related to recreation and culture rose by 1.2 %. Television subscription fee, recreational and sporting services, flowers, toys, as well as stationery and drawing materials were more expensive. Prices of package holidays went down.
With the beginning of the new school year, average price level of pre-primary education (27.5 %) and higher education (4.5 %) went up.
Within the miscellaneous goods and services group prices increased by 3.2 %. Affected by the end of sales campaigns, prices of articles for personal hygiene and beauty products went up. Prices of child care services also increased.
Among other commodity groups, the most notable rise was registered in prices of catering services, telecommunication services and wine. But downturn was recorded in prices of beer, spirits and hotel services.
Compared to 2015, in September 2022 consumer prices were 39.1 % higher. Prices of goods increased by 42.1 % and prices of services by 29.1 %.