The largest downward pressure came from transport prices (-2.8 percent in February from -4.2 percent in January), mainly due to fuels and lubricants. Prices of clothing and footwear dropped 1.8 percent (-1.5 percent in the previous month) and cost of recreation and culture decreased at a faster 1.5 percent (-1.3 percent in January).
In contrast, upward pressures came from prices of restaurants and hotels (1.8 percent from 1.3 percent in January) and alcoholic beverages and tobacco (3.2 percent from 3.1 percent).
On a monthly basis, consumer prices fell 0.1 percent in February, after declining 1.4 percent in January. The highest downward pressure came from clothing and footwear (-5.2 percent) due to the regular discount period while transport rebounded from last month’s fall and rose 1.9 percent.
The harmonized index fell 0.1 percent on a yearly basis and was flat compared with the previous month.