OREANDA-NEWS  On 02 October was announced, that Belarus’ Statistics Ministry attributed the lower consumer inflation rate in August to the seasonal reduction in prices for fruit and vegetables.

The following fruit and vegetables showed a reduction in prices in the month of July: plums (42.1%), tomatoes (35.4%), carrots (33.9%), beets (33.8%), potatoes (27%), onions (24.9%), paprika (20.3%), radish (18.5%), grapes (16.9%), cucumbers (14.3%), peaches (12%), melons and watermelons (10.3%) and berries (3.5%).

At the same time, these fruit and vegetables showed an increased in prices in August: green onions (14.9%), live fish (9.4%), pickles (7.3%), salt (7%), halvah (5.5%), flour (4.4%), mayonnaise (4.2%), margarine (4.1%), and vodka (4.05%).

The following non-foods showed the highest price increases in August: firewood (11.2%) and car parts (5.9%), peat (4%) and tools (3.9%).

When it comes to consumer services, tiling fees rose 15.8% in August, painting fees increased 14.2%, and dry-cleaning fees edged up 2.6%.

In the first eight months, gas service fees rose 90.9%, beet price hiked 45.3%, rice price rose 43.9%, cold water supply 38%, painting fees 35.9%, potatoes 32.8%, carrots 32.4%, millet 31.1%, electric power supply fees rose 29.4%, etc.

The consumer basket under the methodology of the Statistics Ministry includes 411 articles.