12 April 2012

2012- n° 95

In March 2012, the consumer price index increased by 0.8%; year-on-year, it rose by 2.3% Consumer price index - final results - March 2012

In March 2012, the consumer price index (CPI) increased by 0.8%, after a rise by 0.4% in February. The year-on-year change was +2.3% in March. The price index without tobacco increased also by 0.8% in March 2012 (+2.2% year-on-year). Adjusted from seasonal variations, the monthly change increased by 0.4% (+2.3% year-on-year).

The rise of CPI of March resulted mainly from the growth of manufactured products linked with the end of winter sales, but also from the important gains in prices of fuel and food products. For seasonal reasons, prices of services were slightly increasing.

In March 2012, prices of manufactured products were rising strongly (+1.8 %; +1.3 % year-on-year). Prices of clothing and footwear were growing (+11.7%; +5.2% year-on-year), due to the end of winter sales.

In March 2012, prices of energy were rising once more (+1.2%, after +1.0% in February; +6.5% year-on-year), in the wake of the growth of fuel products rates. This change was mainly obvious on prices of fuel products (+2.3%; +7.1% year-on-ear).

Prices of food products went up by 0.7% in March 2012 (+3.7% year-on-year). For especially seasonal reasons, prices of fresh products went up (+5.5%; +2.8% year-on-year). Prices of food products except fresh products were steady (+3.8% year-on-year), increases and decreases made up for one another.

For seasonal reason, prices of services were rising in March 2012 (+0.2%; +1.5% year-on-year).

Core-inflation (ISJ) was growing by 0.5% in March 2012 (+1.6% year-on-year).

The harmonised consumer price index (HCPI) went up by 0.9% (+2.6% year-on-year).