Prices rose at a slower pace for: food and beverages (4.04 percent from 4.97 percent in February); transport (1.77 percent from 2.81 percent); clothing (2.2 percent from 3.03 percent); health (10.34 percent from 10.44 percent); personal expenses (6.64 percent from 6.72 percent) and furnishings and household equipment (1 percent from 2 percent). In contrast, prices went up faster for housing and utilities (4.47 percent from 2.59 percent); communication (2.74 percent from 1.68 percent) and education (8.3 percent from 7.95 percent).
On a monthly basis, consumer prices increased 0.25 percent, following a 0.33 percent rise in February and compared to market expectations of 0.23 percent. It is the lowest monthly rate for a March month since 2012. Biggest upward pressure came from electricity cost that went up 4.43 percent.