Consumer prices stabilized in Azerbaijan in second half of 2010

The inflation rate in Azerbaijan is expected to be increased by 6-7% following 2010, the State Statistics Committee chairman Arif Valiyev said at a press conference in the first quarter.

"Growth in the consumer price index will be continued in the first half of the year, since the country experienced deflation in the same period of last year," Valiyev said.

Stability of consumer prices is forecasted in the second half of 2010, he said.

Prices for consumer goods and tariffs for services in the first quarter of 2010 increased by 3.8 percent and in March - by 1.3 percent compared to the same period in 2009.

Food prices increased in March by 2.4% by February, non-food items became cheapened by 0.1 percent, and tariffs for services - by 0,3%.

Food prices increased by 2.5 percent, industrial goods - 1,6%, and tariffs in the service sector - 8.5% compared to the first quarter of 2009.

During March, dairy products, cheese and eggs cheapened by 0.2%. But prices for oil and fats increased by 1.5%, cereal products - by 0.1%, coffee, tea, cocoa - by 0.2%, vegetables - by 5.4%, fruit - by 16.6%, sugar, jam, honey, chocolate and sweets - one percent, alcoholic beverages - 0,1%, 1.2% - fish products.


/Trend/