Ljubljana, 31 May (STA) - Inflation in Slovenia rose by 0.5 points to 2% at the annual level in May, mainly due to higher prices of food, and fuels and energy, the Statistics Office reported on Thursday. This is the first time since February last year that prices rose more than 2% at the yearly level.
Prices of services rose by 2.8% and prices of goods increased by 1.6%. Non-durable goods were dearer by 3.1%, while prices of durable and semi-durable goods went down by 1.9% and 0.6%, respectively.
Prices of food, which rose 3.6% at the yearly level, contributed 0.6 points to inflation. Meat was dearer by 7.3%, fruit prices went up by 6.2%, and milk, cheese and eggs were 2% dearer.
Higher prices of fuels and energy also added 0.6 points to yearly inflation in May. Prices of solid fuels went up 9.4%, and those of heating energy by 9%. Prices of liquid fuels were up 12.9%, with diesel costlier by 10.3% and petrol by 5.1%.
On the other hand, the annual inflation rate was pushed down 0.2 points by 4.3% lower prices of cars.
In May over April, consumer prices rose by 1.2%. Fruit prices, which soared by 28.8%, added 0.4 points to monthly inflation. Holiday packages and petroleum products each added further 0.2 points to inflation.
Holiday packages were 8.1% dearer, and prices of liquid fuels went up by 2.9%. Diesel prices rose by 3.5% and petrol prices by 3% in May.
Prices of clothing (+1.1%), footwear(+3.1%), accommodation services (+3.1%) and other price increases each pushed inflation up by another 0.1 points.
There were no major factors that would push monthly inflation down.
Measured with the harmonised index of consumer prices, an EU gauge, annual inflation stood at 2.2% and monthly at 1%.