Russia Inflation Rate Lower than Anticipated

2026-05-15 16:37 By Luisa Carvalho 1 min. read

Russia's headline annual inflation rate eased to a four-month low of 5.6% in April 2026 from 5.9% previously and below the expected 5.8%.

Still, inflation remains well above the CBR’s target of 4%.

Price growth moderated for food products (4% vs 5% in March), helped by a steeper decline in the prices of fruits and vegetables (-6.6% vs -2.3%).

Meanwhile, services inflation remained elevated (9.9% vs 10%) and prices for non-food products picked up (3.9% vs 3.5%), mainly on account of automobile gasoline (12.3%); medicines (9.1%) and tobacco (7.5%).

On a monthly basis, the CPI edged up by 0.1% in April, following a 0.6% rise in March, slightly below market forecasts of a 0.3% increase.



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Russia Inflation Rate Lower than Anticipated
Russia's headline annual inflation rate eased to a four-month low of 5.6% in April 2026 from 5.9% previously and below the expected 5.8%. Still, inflation remains well above the CBR’s target of 4%. Price growth moderated for food products (4% vs 5% in March), helped by a steeper decline in the prices of fruits and vegetables (-6.6% vs -2.3%). Meanwhile, services inflation remained elevated (9.9% vs 10%) and prices for non-food products picked up (3.9% vs 3.5%), mainly on account of automobile gasoline (12.3%); medicines (9.1%) and tobacco (7.5%). On a monthly basis, the CPI edged up by 0.1% in April, following a 0.6% rise in March, slightly below market forecasts of a 0.3% increase.
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