Romania Inflation Rate Drops to 14-Month Low

The annual inflation rate in Romania eased to 6.2% in August 2026 from 8.2% in the previous month, slightly below market expectations of 6.3%. The latest figure marked the lowest reading since June 2025, as price growth slowed for food goods, falling to 2.6% from 5.0%, driven largely by lower prices for milling and bakery products (4.3% vs 7.1% in July), meat and meat products (3.9% vs 6.0%), and milk and dairy products (4.7% vs 6.7%). Inflation also moderated for non-food goods, easing to 6.4% from 7.9% a month earlier, weighed down by slower price growth for clothing (5.6% vs 6.6%), chemicals (5.7% vs 8.0%), and cultural and sports products (6.5% vs 8.6%). Moreover, services inflation eased to 11.3% from 13.7%. On a monthly basis, consumer prices grew by 0.2% in August, slowing from a 0.6% increase in the preceding period. Meanwhile, the HICP-based annual inflation rate moderated to 6.3% from 8.2% in July.

The annual inflation rate in Romania eased to 8.2% in July 2026 from 10.4% in June, remaining above market expectations of 7.9% but marking the lowest reading since July 2025. Inflation for non-food goods posted the sharpest slowdown, easing to 7.9% from 12.3% in June, largely due to a steep moderation in electricity price growth (2.9% vs 35.2%). Food inflation also slowed (5.0% vs 5.8%), reflecting softer price growth for vegetables, fruits, meat and meat products, milk and dairy products, and sugar. Meanwhile, service inflation was unchanged at 13.7%. On a monthly basis, consumer prices rose 0.58% in July, accelerating from 0.06% in June. Meanwhile, the HICP-based annual inflation rate eased to 8.2% from 9.2% in the previous month.

The annual inflation rate in Romania fell to a three-month low of 10.4% in June 2026, more than the expected easing to 10.6% and down from 10.9% in May, as the effects of last year's tax hikes continued to fade. Still, inflation remains elevated and the outlook for monetary easing is clouded by volatile oil prices. Food inflation slowed to 5.8% vs 6.8% in May, driven by lower prices for fruit and canned fruit (-9.5% vs 5.5%), vegetables and canned vegetables (-2.6% vs 0.6%), alongside slower increases in oil, lard, fats (6.0% vs 6.1%). Inflation for non-food goods also moderated (12.3% vs 12.5%), reflecting slower price growth for fuels (16.0% vs. 19.2%), chemicals (7.7% vs. 8.2%), tobacco and cigarettes (6.8% vs. 7.4%). Meanwhile, service inflation accelerated slightly (13.7% vs 13.5%). On a monthly basis, consumer prices ticked down to 0.1% in June, slowing from a 0.6% increase in May. Meanwhile, the HICP-based annual inflation rate eased to 9.2% from 9.7% in May.