10 Feb 2015 16:23

Belarus posts 2.4% January inflation

MINSK. Feb 10 (Interfax) - Belarus had 2.4% inflation in January, national statistics agency Belstat said.

Food prices rose 1.8%, non-food prices - 2.4% and service charges - 3.9%.

The core or underlying inflationary index, which excludes short-term irregular price changes caused by various factors of an administrative, once-off and seasonal nature, was 101.8% in January.

Inflation in Belarus reached 16.2% in 2014, when not more than 11% had been forecast. Food prices went up 18.5% and non-food prices rose 8.1%.

According to the macroeconomic forecast, inflation in Belarus should not exceed 12% in 2015, however the National Bank has set a target of 18%, give or take 2 percentage points.