Kazakhstan sees annual inflation slow to 9.2% in Oct, below analyst forecasts

ASTANA. Nov 2 (Interfax) - Annual inflation in Kazakhstan eased to 9.2% in October from 9.3% in September, while prices rose 0.5% from the previous month, down from 0.6%, the Bureau of National Statistics said.

Analysts polled by Interfax had forecast annual inflation of 9.3%-9.7% for October and monthly inflation of 0.5%-0.9%.

Among foodstuffs, the biggest monthly price drops were for grapes (10%), onions (9.8%), sugar (9.5%), cauliflower (9%), and apples (6.2%).

Among non-food items, prices fell for blenders (6.7%), modems and routers (4.2%), and microwave ovens (2.4%).

Over the past 12 months, cucumbers (34.4%), bananas (12.4%), lemons (11.1%) and garlic (10.2%) declined the most. Among non-food items, prices fell for domestically assembled passenger cars (17.3%), electric drills and screwdrivers (10.5%), and electric meat grinders (3.9%).

Annual inflation slowed to 9.3% in September from 9.8% in August, falling for 12 months in a row. Monthly inflation was 0.6%, unchanged from August.