Kazakhstan's annual inflation slows to 9.8% in Aug, as forecast

ASTANA. Sept 1 (Interfax) - Kazakhstan's annual inflation eased to 9.8% in August 2026 from 10.2% in July, the National Statistics Bureau said.

Annual inflation in Kazakhstan was 12.2% in January, in February it was 11.7%, in March - 11%, in April - 10.6%, in May - 10.4% and in June - 10.4%.

Monthly inflation was 0.6% in August, as in July.

Analysts surveyed by Interfax had forecast annual inflation at 9.8%-10.1%. The closest forecast came from the Analytical Center of the Association of Financiers of Kazakhstan, which projected 9.8%-9.9%.

Non-food prices rose 11.4% year-on-year, food prices climbed 9.5% and paid services increased 8.9%.

Prices for several fruits and vegetables continued to decline on an annual basis. Eggplants fell 46.8%, cucumbers 39.9%, tomatoes 13.6%, apples 10.6%, garlic 7.2%, tangerines 5.9%, cabbage 5.2%, bananas 4.2% and oranges 2.6%.

Among non-food items, prices for new domestically assembled cars fell 16.9% year-on-year, while electric drills and screwdrivers dropped 8% and air conditioners 7.6%.