Month on month, overall prices were unchanged, signaling a pause in the steady disinflation seen through much of the year.
Food prices increased by 3.9% year on year, or 1.7% excluding food and beverage serving services. The largest price hikes were recorded for eggs (up 20.2%), chocolate and cocoa (16.1%), coffee (14.8%), other confectionery products (12.8%), and buffet items (10.3%). Fruit and vegetable juices rose by 9%, while meals at schools increased 7.7% and non-alcoholic beverages 7.2%.
At the same time, several staple items became cheaper: margarine prices dropped by 27.8%, flour by 14.8%, dairy products by 10.2%, milk by 8.9%, sugar by 8.8%, processed meat products by 6.6%, and pork by 5.8%.
Energy costs climbed by an average of 10.7%, including a 23.7% increase in natural and manufactured gas prices and a 2.1% rise in electricity. Alcoholic beverages and tobacco products were up 7.5%, led by an 8.7% jump in tobacco prices.
Service prices rose 6.7% overall, driven by higher costs for recreational services (13.2%), vehicle repair and maintenance (10.1%), healthcare services (9.7%), and personal care (9.4%). Prices for housing maintenance and rents both increased by 9%.
Among consumer durables, prices were 2.4% higher than a year earlier. Jewelry led the category with a 22.2% increase, while living and dining room furniture rose 4.4%, heating and cooking appliances 2.9%, and new passenger cars 2%. In contrast, motor fuel prices dropped 2.2%, while pharmaceutical products rose 5.9%.
Compared to September, consumer prices overall were unchanged. Food prices dipped slightly by 0.1% (0.4% excluding food and beverage serving services), mainly due to a 2.1% decrease in seasonal food items. Prices for confectionery fell by 2.5%, sugar by 1.1%, and pork by 1%, while eggs rose 3.3% and rolls 1.6%.
Seasonal trends pushed clothing and footwear prices up by 2.3%, the highest month-on-month increase. Energy prices were flat overall, while service prices slipped by 0.1% and recreational services declined 0.9%. Motor fuel prices fell 1.1% during the month.
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