OREANDA-NEWS. May 12, 2008. In April this year, compared to April of last year, consumption prices increased 17,5 percent, including 17,6 percent for goods and 17,3 percent for services, the Latvian Central Statistical Bureau announced.

As reported, the annual inflation in March reached 16,8 percent.

Average consumer price level in April 2008, compared to March 2008, has grown by 1,5 percent.

Compared to March, in April the inflation was 1,9 percent for goods and 0,7 percent for services.

In April, comparing to March 2007, the average consumer price level had increased by 0,9 percent.

The increase of 39,2 percent for power supply tariffs had the biggest impact on the surge of consumer prices in April.

The prices continued to go up for food products, especially for bread - by 5,2 percent, meat and meat products - by 1,7 percent, as well as for fruits: by1,1 percent, confectionery and honey: by 0,8 percent. Prices went up by 1,8 percent for alcohol, especially for wines and spirits. As the result of seasonal factors, the prices for vegetables went up by 6,2 percent.

Water supply and household maintenance services became 4,2 percent more expensive, heat supply expenses increased by 2,6 percent.

With the coming in market of the new season goods, footwear prices increased by 2 percent, clothing prices: by 1,1 percent. Among other goods that became more expensive, were diesel fuel, medicaments, short term usage household goods (for instance, detergents, paper produce, cleaning tools), as well as pet food and books.

In April the prices surged for catering, hotel and personal care institution services, as well as for medical care, entertainment and tourism services. Operating a personal vehicle became more expensive, as well as overland passenger transportation.

As a result of promotional campaigns, prices dropped for milk and milk products - by 0,3 percent, cheese - by 2,2 percent, eggs - by 2,1 percent, sugar - by 1,8 percent, juices and refreshing soft drinks - by 1,7 percent. The prices went down also for television, audio, video, photo and data processing devices, as well as for telephones. Flowers, airplane tickets, household tools for home and garden also became cheaper.

The 12-month growth level of consumer prices in April, comparing to March, continued to increase. Soaring electric energy supply prices increased the average price level 0,7 percent. The prices for meat, meat products, bread, alcohol, water supply and other household maintenance related expenses, as well as heat energy tariffs, soared more rapidly than a year ago.

12-month average consumer price index, compared to the previous 12 months, increased by 13 percent.