Inflation in Kazakhstan quickens to 1.1%, annual figure slows to 11.7% in February

ASTANA. March 2 (Interfax) - Annual inflation in Kazakhstan was 11.7% in February, down from 12.2% in January, while monthly inflation slowed to 1% from 1.1%, the National Statistics Bureau said.

Analysts polled by Interfax had forecast 11.6%-12.2% annual inflation.

Food prices rose 12.7% year on year in February, down from 12.9% in January, while non-food prices increased 11.6% versus 11.7% in January. Service charges rose 10.8%, compared with 12% a month earlier.

The largest contributors to annual inflation were food and non-alcoholic beverages, which added 5.2 percentage points, followed by personal care, social protection, other goods and services, and clothing and footwear with a percentage point.

On a monthly basis, food prices increased 1.3% in February, services rose 1%, and non-food prices 0.9%.