Consumer prices in Latvia may have grown by 2.9-3.3% YoY in March, bank analysts predict.
Swedbank economist Linda Vildava notes that consumer prices in March may have grown by approximately 0.4% MoM. This means that prices have grown by 2.9% since March 2016.
“The largest positive contribution to monthly changes will likely come from price rise for clothes, footwear and vegetables in Europe. A slight price increase may be noted for alcoholic beverages because of increased excise tax rate. Oil price changes will likely result in a slight fuel price decline,” Vildava explains.
SEB Bank’s macroeconomics expert Dainis Gaspuitis predicts consumer prices in Latvia may have grown by 0.6-0.7% in March. This means annual inflation has reached 3.2-3.3%.
“Inflation in March clearly reflected seasonal factors. The most significant price rise is noted for food, clothes and footwear. The price of heating energy remains unchanged and fuel prices have moved away slightly from their levels. Minimal fluctuations are noted in other groups,” Gaspuitis said. (BNN/Business World Magazine)