11 Apr 2016 15:52

Belarus has 5.7% inflation in Q1

MINSK. April 11 (Interfax) - Consumer prices in Belarus rose 5.7% in January-March 2016, including 0.8% in March compared with February, the national statistics committee Belstat reported.

Food prices rose 4.3% in the quarter (0.7% in March alone), prices for non-food goods were up 3.8% (1.2%) and prices for services - up 12.5% (0.6%).

According to the socioeconomic development forecast, inflation for 2016 as a whole will be no higher than 12%.

At the beginning of January, Economy Minister Vladimir Zinovsky said that given current oil prices, currency devaluations in neighboring countries and external market instability, inflation might total 17%-18% in 2016.

Belarus had 12% inflation in 2015.