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Inflation in Belarus still higher than in Kazakhstan, Russia, Ukraine

The inflation rate in Belarus in January 2012 was much higher than in Kazakhstan, Russia and Ukraine, according to the National Statistics Committee (Belstat).

During the period, consumer prices reportedly rose by 1.9 percent in Belarus compared with 0.2 percent in Ukraine, 0.3 percent in Kazakhstan and 0.5 percent in Russia.

However, there were higher increases in food prices in Russia and Kazakhstan than in Belarus: 0.7 and 0.5 percent, respectively, against 0.4 percent in Belarus. In Ukraine, food prices rose by 0.2 percent.

Alcoholic drinks and cigarettes increased in price by 9.2 percent in Belarus, 0.4 and 2.8 percent, respectively, in Kazakhstan, one and 0.8 percent in Russia and 0.7 percent in Ukraine.

According to Belstat, prices of meat and meat products did not change in Belarus and rose by 1.4 percent in Kazakhstan, 0.8 percent in Russia and 0.2 percent in Ukraine.

Milk increased in price by 0.8 percent in Belarus, 0.5 percent in Kazakhstan, 0.4 percent in Russia and 0.1 percent in Ukraine.

Vegetable oil decreased in price by 1.9 percent in Belarus, 1.5 percent in Kazakhstan, 0.3 percent in Ukraine and 0.2 percent in Russia.

Last year consumer prices reportedly rose by 108.7 percent in Belarus compared with 7.4 percent in Kazakhstan, 6.1 percent in Russia and 4.6 percent in Ukraine. //BelaPAN