Consumer prices in Belarus in March 2011 increased by 1.9% against February, by 6.1% against December 2010, 13.9% against March 2010. It was reported by the National Statistics Committee. At the same time, food prices have increased by 1.7% over the month, having risen up by 6.1% from the beginning of the year and by 17.4% since March 2010.
Potatoes (26.8%), sugar (20.9%), cereals (17.6%) and fruits (11.9%) have become most expansive for the first three month. Over this period, cheese has risen by 7.8%, vegetables — 6.4%, milk and dairy products — 6.1%, fish and seafood — 5.9%, confectionery products — 5.6%, oil — 5.5%, meat — 5.4%, meat products — 5.3%, tea — 3.5%, canned fish and eggs — 3.3%, wheat flour — 2.9%, pasta — 2.7%. Prices of tobacco products have risen by — 5.7%, alcohol — 4.4%.
The price index for industrial goods in March 2011 was 103% against February, 103.6% against December 2010, and 107.8% against March 2010. Gasoline has become the most expansive: 23.2% increase in March and 31.6% for the year.
Compared with December 2010, Fabrics rose by 5.7%, stationery — 3.1%, furniture — 3%, dishes — 2.4%, carpets and rugs — 2%, clocks — 1.9%, ready-made garments — 1.6%, perfumes, beauty products — 1.5%, household appliances — 0.9% in March 2011. However, footwear fell by 1.3% and medicines — by 0.3%.
The index of prices and tariffs for paid services in March 2011 amounted to 100.9% against February, 109.8% against December 2010, 14.2% against March 2010. Preschool service has increased by 34.9% for the first three months, higher education — 19.6%, housing — 17.8%, culture — 9%, passenger transport — 3.9%. Travel services rose by 8.1%, health and fitness — 7%, household — 5%, healthcare — 1.5%. At the same time the price of utility services, intercity road and rail transport did not change in March. Services of communication fell by 2.5%.
Industrial production’s prices increased by 2.6% in March against February, including capital goods — by 1.5%, intermediate goods — by 3.4%, and consumer goods — by 1.6%. During the year, prices have gone up by 22%. Price index for construction and installation work has fallen by 1.9% for three months and communication services for businesses and individual entrepreneurs — by 0.4%, while freight traffic has increased by 6.3%.
