Sept inflation in Russia zero - Rosstat
MOSCOW. Oct 4 (Interfax) - Inflation in Russia was zero in September after 0.2% deflation in August, the Federal State Statistics Service (Rosstat) reported on Tuesday.
September 2010 inflation was 0.8% due to drought.
Consumer prices rose 4.7% in January-September this year, versus 6.2% in the same period of last year.
The level of annual inflation by October 1 had decreased to 7.2% from 8.2% at the end of August and 9.0% at the end of July. The historic annual inflation minimum of 5.5% was achieved in July of 2010, and then annual inflation rose until January of this year mainly due to rising food prices resulting from a under-harvest caused by drought.
Analysts had predicted zero September inflation. An Interfax consensus forecast compiled at the end of the month produced a prediction of stabilizing prices.
The base consumer price index, excluding price changes for certain goods, is subject to the influence of administrative and seasonal factor. It was 100.5% in September, 100.4% in August and July, and 100.3% in June. It was 105.1% for January-September, and in annual terms against September of last year - 107.4% (in September 2010 - 101.1%, for January-September - 104.3%, and September 2010 against September 2009 - 105.3%).
Compared to August, in September the pace of price decreases on fruit and vegetable products slowed as expected to 9.8% from 16% in August.
However, price growth for non-food items quickened to 0.7% in September from 0.5% in August.
In general, prices for foodstuffs decreased 0.6% in September (1.4% in August), for food goods not counting fruits and vegetables they were up 0.2% (0.3%), and for services they were down 0.1% (up 0.3%).
Fruits and vegetables dropped 9.8% in price. Prices for potatoes decreased 25.4%, for carrots and bulb onions 20.9% and 20.6%, respectively, for beets 16.5%, and for fresh cabbage 14.1%. Citrus and non-citrus fruits dropped 2.0% in price on average, including grapes - 14.1%. But lemons, oranges, and bananas increased from 2.6% to 6.7% in price.
In September, lower prices were observed for some groats and legumes, which averaged 10.6% down in cost. Buckwheat groats and millet were down 19.8% and 19.7%, respectively. Granulated sugar was down 9.9% in price (14.2% down since the start of the year), and sunflower oil 0.3% (up 5.1%).
On the other hand, September bread prices were up 0.2% (up 8.3% from the start of the year), meat and poultry prices were up 1.0% (up 6.9%), and eggs 9.0% (down 4.3%).
The cost of the subsistence food basket average 2,409.1 rubles at end-September. The cost decreased 4.1% over the month (6.5% from the start of the year).
Of non-food items, jewelry was up most in price - 4.1% in September. Domestically produced cigarettes were up from 2.5% to 3.0%.
In accordance with the schedule for amending railway fares, train trips to distant destinations averaged down 20.7% in September. Economy class plane tickets and local and commuter rail fares were down a respective 2.4% and 1.7%.
Housing and utility charges went up 0.1% in September and 11.2% in the nine months.
The biggest increases in the nine months were 15.1% for cold water supplies and waste-water disposal, 13.5% for refuse collection, 13.4% for gas supplies and 12.8% for hot water.
Education charges rose 2.7% in September and 5.23% in the nine months.
Passenger transport fares fell 4% in September but rose 7.6% in the nine months.
The Economic Development Ministry expects inflation in 2011 to be from 6.5% to 7.0%. The Central Bank is also looking to keep inflation within 7%.
An Interfax consensus forecast compiled among analysts at end-September produced an inflation projection of 7.2%.
