Hungary’s annual inflation rate stood at 4.2% in April, the Central Statistical Office (KSH) reported Friday, a moderate pace compared to earlier months. Consumer prices rose by 0.2% compared to March.
Food prices were 5.4% higher year-on-year. Eggs led the increase with a 26.9% jump, followed by flour (up 23.7%), edible oil (up 23.4%), chocolate and cocoa (up 20.0%), and coffee (up 19.8%). Prices also rose for fruit and vegetable juices (14.5%), buffet products (9.8%), non-alcoholic beverages (8.2%), milk (7.5%), and bread (6.8%).
Meanwhile, some food prices dropped. Margarine prices fell 29.2%, milk products were down 7.5%, and prices for other meat preparations decreased by 6.4%.
Services saw a 7.0% price hike over the year. Within this group, postal services rose 11.3%, rents climbed 11.0%, and the repair and maintenance of vehicles became 10.5% more expensive. Personal care services increased by 10.1%, the repair and maintenance of dwellings by 9.8%, and recreational services by 8.4%.
Alcoholic beverages and tobacco prices rose by 6.3% on average, with tobacco prices up by 7.0%. The cost of electricity, gas and other fuels increased by 3.5%, including an 8.7% rise in butane and propane gas prices and a 7.2% increase in the price of natural and manufactured gas.
Consumer durables were 2.0% more expensive than a year ago. Jewelry prices surged by 22.0%, new passenger car prices increased by 6.1%, and living and dining room furniture was 3.7% more expensive. Second-hand passenger car prices fell by 1.9%.
Motor fuel prices dropped by 7.1% year-on-year, while pharmaceutical products became 4.9% more expensive.
Monthly Inflation Slows to 0.2%
Compared to March, consumer prices rose by 0.2% in April. Food prices declined by 1.3% month-on-month, with significant decreases in margarine (down 23.6%), milk products (down 13.4%), flour (down 12.5%), butter (down 8.7%), milk (down 8.6%), edible oil (down 6.1%), other meat preparations (down 5.9%), cheese (down 5.4%), poultry meat (down 5.0%), sugar (down 4.3%), and pork (down 4.1%).
Some food items saw modest increases: chocolate and cocoa prices rose by 3.3%, buffet products by 1.9%, and non-alcoholic beverages and rice by 1.4% each. Pasta products became 1.3% more expensive, rolls by 0.9%, and bread by 0.7%.
Energy prices rose by 3.8% month-on-month, with natural and manufactured gas prices up by 8.3%. Butane and propane gas prices fell by 1.2%.
Clothing and footwear prices increased by 2.1%, and alcoholic beverage and tobacco prices rose by 1.3%, driven by a 2.4% increase in tobacco prices. Services overall became 0.8% more expensive compared to March, with recreation within Hungary rising 4.7%, recreation abroad increasing by 1.4%, and vehicle repair and maintenance prices up by 1.0%.
Motor fuel prices dropped by 1.4% over the month, while pharmaceutical products became 3.1% more expensive.