OREANDA-NEWS. On 25 December 2008 was announced, that Belarus’ core inflation was at 1.3% in November 2008, a source in the National Statistics Committee told.

In the first 11 months, core inflation accelerated 10.6%.

Staple food prices went up 1.8% on the month in November and 15.1% in January-November; non-food prices increased 0.5% and 6% and service prices went up 1.7% in November, an increase of 8.8% in January-November.

In Belarus, core inflation rate reached 10.2% in January-December 2007. Staple food prices went up 14%; non-food prices increased 4.4% and service prices went up 5.4%.

Core inflation is close to basic monetary indicators and does not depend on variables, especially seasonal factors and administratively-controlled price-formation.

Core inflation is the key benchmark for monetary strategies; many countries of the world have their central banks calculate the core consumer price index [in Belarus it is calculated by the National Statistics Committee].