OREANDA-NEWS. February 08, 2007. Consumer prices in Latvia increased 15,8 percent in January year-on-year, according to the Central Statistical Bureau's data.

Prices for goods increased 15,1 percent and prices for services 17,5 percent.

Compared to December 2007, consumer prices in January were 2,8 percent higher.

In January the price growth of cigarettes, transport, food products, as well as the price decrease of clothing and footwear had the greatest impact on the consumer price changes.

Due to excise tax change, prices of tobacco products grew by 38,1 percent.

Price of fuel increased by 5 percent: gasoline prices grew 5,9 percent and diesel fuel prices 2,4 percent.

Prices of dairy products increased 6,1 percent, cheese – 4,1 percent, oils and fats - 9 percent, cereal products - by 5,6 percent.

In January prices of transport services increased 7,5 percent, whereas prices for out-patient services grew 11,3 percent.

With the seasonal sales, the prices of wearing apparel decreased on average 7,1 percent, but prices of footwear - by 6,4 percent.

Average price changes in the last twelve months compared to the previous twelve months increased by 10,8 percent.

As reported, inflation in 2007 reached 14,1 percent, which was the highest inflation recorded in Latvia in the past ten years. In 2006, inflation in Latvia was 6,8 percent.