Russian inflation accelerates to 6.6% in 2012 - Rosstat
MOSCOW. Dec 29 (Interfax) - Russian inflation accelerated to 6.6% in 2012, from 6.1% in 2011, according to preliminary data, the Federal State Statistics Service (Rosstat) said.
Inflation was 8.8% in 2010 and 2009.
Consumer prices grew an estimated 0.5% in December 2012, compared with 0.3% in November. They grew 0.4% in December 2011, 1.1% in December 2010 and 0.4% in December 2009.
Analysts also predicted 0.5% inflation for December 2012 and 6.6% for the year in a consensus forecast for Interfax.
The preliminary figures for December are based on weekly monitoring for a narrower range of 62 goods and services than monthly figures. The monthly figures, which cover 503 goods and services, will be known on January 9.
Rosstat said food prices rose 0.9% in December 2012 and 7.5% in the year (3.9% in 2011).
Non-food prices rose 0.3% (5.2%, 6.7%) and services went up 0.4% (7.3%, 8.7%).
Analysts think inflation will slow to 6.4% in 2013.
The government's official forecast for 2012 was 5%-6%.