Russia Inflation Rate at Near 3-Year Low

Russia's headline annual inflation rate fell for the second month to 5.3% in May 2026, down from 5.6% in April and below market estimates of 5.4%. This was the lowest reading since August 2023, but it remains well above the CBR’s target of 4%. Food price growth slowed to 2.9%, compared to 4% in April, as fruit and vegetable prices continued to decline (-10.4% vs -6.6%). Meanwhile, prices advanced faster for services (10.1% vs 9.9%) and non-food products (4.2% vs 3.9%). The core rate edged down to 4.9% in May from 5% in the previous month. On a monthly basis, the CPI rose by 0.2%, after a 0.1% increase in the prior month, in line with forecasts.

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.

Russia's headline annual inflation rate remained unchanged at 5.9% in March 2026 compared to February, slightly above forecasts of 5.8%. The strongest price increases were recorded in services at 10% and food products at 5%. Within food, fruit and vegetable products led gains at 7.4%. Amid Middle East oil supply concerns, gasoline prices rose 2.3%. Housing prices increased 2.2% and utilities 5.1%, with gas supply up 2.1%. On a monthly basis, the Russian CPI rose 0.6% following a 0.7% increase in February.