Rising fuel prices in Kazakhstan may drive inflation up - minister

ASTANA. April 25 (Interfax) - Rising prices for fuel in Kazakhstan may accelerate inflation, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Trade and Integration Serik Zhumangarin said.

"The forecast inflation rate in April will be about 1.8% and reach 5.1% from the beginning of the year. The food inflation is expected at 2.6%, and 6.1% year-to-date. At the same time, the rise in fuel prices may push inflation even higher," Zhumangarin said at a government meeting on Tuesday.

The retail price cap on gasoline and diesel a raised on April 12, by 10-13% for AI-92/AI-93 gasoline and 13%-28% for summer diesel.

Inflation for March was 0.9% and the annual figure was 18.1%. Food price went up 20.5%, non-food prices 18.1% and services 14.4%.

Inflation was 20.3% in 2022.