Inflation rate in Bulgaria hits new high in July 2022

New surge in inflation rate for July was reported by the National Statistics.

For the year, the cost of living in the country has risen by 17.3%, and for the month, the highest price increase was registered for recreation and culture. Prices of housing, fuel, electricity, restaurants and hotels services also rose.

Inflation rate was measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI), with monthly inflation rate for July 2022 compared to the previous month and annual inflation rate for July 2022 compared to the level of the same month of the previous year, Bulgaria’s National Statistical Institute said.

In July 2022, compared to the previous month, the highest price increase was registered for Recreation and culture (+7.4%), Housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels (+5.2%) and Restaurants and hotels (+1.2%). The highest decrease was recorded in the prices for Clothing and footwear (-2.0%), Transport (-1.7%) and Food and non-alcoholic beverages (-0.1%).

The inflation rate since the beginning of the year (July 2022 compared to December 2021) was 11.3%, and the annual average inflation rate for the period August 2021 - July 2022 compared to the period August 2020 - July 2021 was 10.5%.

In July 2022, compared to the previous month, the prices of goods and services increased in the following consumer groups:

· Recreation and culture - an increase of 7.4%;

· Housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels - an increase of 5.2%;

· Restaurants and hotels - an increase of 1.2%;

· Furnishings, household equipment and routine maintenance of the house - an increase of 0.9%;

· Miscellaneous goods and services - an increase of 0.9%;

· Communications - an increase of 0.7%;

· Alcoholic beverages and tobacco - an increase of 0.5%;

· Health - an increase of 0.2%;

· Education - an increase of 0.1%.

In July 2022, compared to the previous month, the prices of goods and services decreased in the following consumer groups:

· Clothing and footwear - a decrease of 2.0%;

· Transport - a decrease of 1.7%;

· Food and non-alcoholic beverages - a decrease of 0.1%.

In July 2022, the prices of the following food products increased: chocolate and chocolate products - by 4.1%, citrus and southern fruits - by 4.1%, cottage cheese - by 3.1%, cheese - by 2. 9%, yoghurt - by 2.9%, sugar - by 2.6%, whole and low-fat milk - by 2.6% each, brandy - by 2.4%, beer - by 2.3%, olives - by 2.2%, lentils - by 2.2%, margarine - by 2.1%, salt - by 2.1%, dairy oils - by 2. 0%, cheese - by 1.9%, ice cream - by 1.7%, carbonated beverages - by 1.6%, fresh and chilled fish - by 1.5%, mushrooms - by 1.4%, durable sausages - by 1.3%, cattle meat - by 1.3%, minced meat - by 1. 1%, wines - by 1.0%, fruit juices - by 0.9%, mature beans - by 0.8%, cucumbers - by 0.8%, perishable sausages - by 0.8%, tomatoes - by 0.5%, poultry meat - by 0.4%, vinegar - by 0.3%, coffee - by 0.2%, and others.

In July 2022, prices of the following food products decreased: peaches and apricots - by 23.6%, other fresh vegetables (green beans, zucchini and eggplants) - by 16.0%, potatoes - by 12.3%, type and rye bread - by 10.8%, Dobrudja bread - by 10.1%, white bread - by 9.1%, cabbage - by 8. 8%, root vegetables (carrots and red beets) - by 6.4%, flour - by 5.8%, mature garlic - by 4.8%, mineral water - by 1.6%, eggs - by 1.3%, pepper - by 1. 1%, pasta - by 1.0%, apples - by 0.8%, fresh vegetable spices - by 0.7%, tea - by 0.4%, mature onions - by 0.3%, pork - by 0.2%, rice - by 0.1%, and others.

In the month under review, the non-food goods and services groups recorded price increases in: passenger air transport - by 31.7%, thermal energy for water heating - by 24.5%, package services for holidays and tourist trips - by 18.7%, central gas supply - by 16. 2%, heating wood - by 9.2%, pellets - by 8.9%, wastewater collection, disposal and treatment - by 6.2%, water supply - by 5.8%, motor and lubricating oils - by 4.8%, coal - by 3.6%, electricity - by 3.4%, other postal services (courier services) - by 3.0%, cook stoves - by 3.0%, bus transport - by 2. 5%, home-related insurance - by 2.1%, motor gasoline A100H - by 1.9%, short-term lodging services - by 1.8%, personal care products and cosmetics - by 1.6%, refrigerators - by 1.3%, furniture - by 1.3%, doctor services - by 1.2%, methane gas for LTV - by 1.1%, food services - by 1.1%, spare parts for LTV - by 0. 9%, new cars - by 0.8%, barber and hairdresser services - by 0.8%, air conditioning - by 0.6%, home repair and maintenance materials - by 0.5%, dental services - by 0.5%, laundry detergents - by 0.4%, cleaning and disinfecting agents - by 0.3%, used cars - by 0.2%, pharmaceuticals - by 0.1%, and others.

In July 2022, in the non-food goods and services groups, price decreases were recorded for: LPG gas - by 21.3%, car insurance - by 3.8%, gasoline A95H - by 3.1%, TV sets - by 2.7%, gaseous fuels for household use - by 2. 6%, footwear - by 2.6%, diesel fuel - by 2.2%, florists - by 2.0%, clothing - by 1.7%, pet supplies - by 1.5%, car and bicycle tires - by 1.3%, water heaters - by 0.9%, dish cleaners - by 0.6%, bicycles - by 0.3%, and others.