Over the year, the average level of consumer prices rose by 21.5 %

The latest data of the Central Statistical Bureau show that in January 2023, compared to January 2022, the average level of consumer prices* increased by 21.5 %.

Compared to January 2022, in January 2023 the average level of consumer prices was mainly influenced by the goods and services related to housing (7.9 percentage points), food and non-alcoholic beverages (7.3 percentage points), goods and services related to transport (1.7 percentage points), miscellaneous goods and services group (0.9 percentage points), goods and services related to recreation and culture (0.8 percentage points).

Over the year, prices within the group of food and non-alcoholic beverages increased by 28.2 %. Price rise for bread (42.0 %), bakery products (26.3 %), flours and other cereals (39.1 %), pasta products (35.1 %), rice (31.4 %) and breakfast cereals (22.0 %) had the strongest upward influence on the average price level within the group. Prices of dried, salted or smoked meat (24.1 %), poultry (37.0 %), pork (24.7 %), meat preparations (26.5 %), beef (30.4 %) also went up. Upturn was recorded in prices of cheese and curd (30.0 %), milk (45.3), milk products (32.1 %), eggs (35.2 %) and yoghurt (20.1 %). Prices increased for coffee (34.4 %), fresh fruit (20.3 %), sugar (86.2 %), fresh vegetables (13.4 %), vegetable oil (44.0 %), chocolate (19.6 %), preserved or processed fish and seafood-based preparations (28.3 %), butter (24.7 %), ice cream (18.6 %), sauces and condiments (43.2 %), fruit and vegetable juices (17.7 %), soft drinks (22.5 %), frozen fish (38.7 %). Over the year, prices of salt and spices (36.6 %), dried, other preserved or processed vegetables (22.9 %), olive oil (25.6 %), jams and honey (15.5 %), sweets (21.1 %), fresh or chilled fish (16.6 %), margarine (34.8 %), dried fruit and nuts (20.7 %), ready-made meals (23.4 %) and tea (18.8 %) also went up.

The average level of alcoholic beverage and tobacco product prices rose by 7.4 %. As prices of spirits, beer and wine went up, alcoholic beverages became more expensive (8.9 %). Over the year average increase of 4.9 % was observed in prices of tobacco products.

Average level of prices of goods and services related to housing rose by 48.1 %. Over the year, the most significant rise in the prices was for heat energy (69.6 %), electricity (89.8 %), solid fuels (82.5 %) and natural gas (79.5 %). Upturn was recorded in prices of water supply, sewage collection, refuse collection, maintenance charges in multi-occupied buildings, services for the maintenance and repair of the dwelling, as well as materials for the maintenance and repair of the dwelling.

The average level of health care prices grew by 10.3 %. Over the year, prices of pharmaceutical products, dental services and prices in medical specialist practice went up.

Prices of goods and services related to transport increased by 12.3 %, which was determined by the rise in prices of fuels for transport by 17.8 %. Prices of diesel rose by 26.7 %, of petrol – by 8.0 %, but of auto gas – by 5.2 %. Upturn was recorded in prices of maintenance and repair of personal transport equipment, passenger transport by road, spare parts and accessories for personal transport equipment, motor cars. In turn, passenger transport by air became cheaper.

Prices of goods and services related to recreation and culture rose by 11.1 %. During the year, prices increased for pet food, flowers, recreational and sporting services, newspapers and magazines, television subscription fee, stationery and drawing materials, fiction books, package holidays, as well as personal computers.

The average level of restaurant and hotel service prices went up by 18.6 %. Increase was observed in prices of catering services, of which prices of restaurant and café services rose by 17.3 %, of canteen services – by 17.9 % and of fast food services – by 20.6 %. Over the year, prices of hotel services also went up.

Within the miscellaneous goods and services group, prices increased by 17.4 %, which was significantly affected by the rise in prices of articles for personal hygiene and beauty products. Motor vehicle insurance, hairdressing salons and personal grooming establishment services, retirement home fee for elderly persons, financial services were more expensive as well.

Among other commodity groups, the most notable rise was registered in prices of telecommunication services, household cleaning and maintenance products, household furniture, pre-primary education, footwear, garments, major household appliances, as well as domestic and household services.

Over the month, the average level of consumer prices rose by 0.5 %

Compared to December 2022, in January 2023 the average level of consumer prices increased by 0.5 %. Food and non-alcoholic beverages (0.3 percentage points), miscellaneous goods and services group (0.1 percentage point), health care (0.1 percentage point), furnishings (0.1 percentage point), goods and services related to recreation and culture (0.1 percentage point), alcoholic beverages and tobacco products (0.1 percentage point), as well as clothing and footwear (-0.2 percentage points), goods and services related to housing (-0.1 percentage point) contributed the most to the price level changes.

Over the month, prices of food and non-alcoholic beverages grew by 1.3 %. The most significant price rise was registered for bread (2.7 %), which was mainly affected by the end of promotions on wheat bread and rye bread. Rise in prices was also registered for fresh fruit (3.5 %). Due to the end of special offers, increase was recorded in prices of milk (3.0 %), bakery products (2.0 %), chocolate (3.0 %), flours and other cereals (2.9 %), dried, salted or smoked meat (0.7 %), poultry (0.9 %), coffee (0.8 %), as well as pasta products (2.9 %). Prices increased for fruit and vegetable juices (4.5 %), eggs (2.9 %), pork (1.0 %), fresh vegetables (0.8 %) and sugar (3.7 %). But prices of cheese and curd (2.5 %) and butter (3.9 %) fell due to the discounts.

The average level of alcoholic beverage and tobacco product prices rose by 1.3 %. Mainly due to the end of special offers on spirits and wine, prices of alcoholic beverages went up (1.9 %). During the month, the average level of tobacco product prices remained the same.

Prices within clothing and footwear group fell by 4.6 %. Affected by discounts and sales of winter goods, the average price levelof garments dropped by 5.0 %, but prices of footwear – by 3.7 %.

Average level of prices of goods and services related to housing fell by 0.7 %. During the month the most significant price drop in the group was registered for electricity (4.7 %), which was affected by reduction of electricity price for tariffs linked to the electricity exchange. Solid fuels and heat energy became cheaper.

Over the month, maintenance charges in multi-occupied buildings became more expensive. Due to the increase of natural resource tax, prices of refuse collection services on average rose by 7.3 %. Upturn was recorded in prices of services for the maintenance and repair of the dwelling, rentals for housing and natural gas.

Within the furnishings group prices rose on average by 2.6 %. Due to the end of sales, increase was recorded in prices of household cleaning and maintenance products, as well as non-electric kitchen utensils and articles.

The average level of health care prices grew by 1.8 %. Growth was registered in prices of pharmaceutical products, prices in medical specialist practice and dental services.

Prices of goods and services related to transport increased by 0.3 %, which was mainly affected by the rise in prices of fuels for transport by 1.4 %. Prices of diesel rose by 2.3 %, of petrol – by 0.5 %, but of auto gas – reduced by 0.1 %. Upturn was recorded in prices of passenger transport by road and passenger transport by tram, as well as maintenance and repair of personal transport equipment. Prices of passenger transport by air went down.

Goods and services related to recreation and culture became more expensive by 1.4 %. During the month, prices increased for flowers, personal computers, newspapers and magazines. As the sales ended, prices of toys went up. In turn, prices of package holidays went down.

Within the miscellaneous goods and services group prices increased by 3.0 %. Mainly affected by the end of sales campaigns, prices of articles for personal hygiene and beauty products went up.

Among other commodity groups, the most notable rise was registered in prices of catering services.

Price changes by commodity group

(as per cent)

Compared to 2015, in January 2023 consumer prices were 41.9 % higher. Prices of goods increased by 44.3 % and prices of services by 33.4 %.

Information on consumer price changes in February 2023 will be published on 8 March.

*The annual inflation reflects consumer price changes, comparing the average price level in the comparison month with the average price level in the corresponding month of the previous year.

**Weights reflect expenditure share of the respective commodity group in the total household expenditure.

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More information on data:
Nataļja Dubkova
Consumer Price Indices Section
E-mail: Natalja.Dubkova@csp.gov.lv
Phone: +371 67366644