In a year-on-year comparison, service prices rose by 4.2%. Within the category, theatre tickets increased by 18.8%, recreation abroad by 18%, and domestic recreation by 10.2%. Personal care services became 8.5% more expensive, while vehicle repair and maintenance prices rose by 8.2%. Other public entertainment tickets were up by 8.1%.

Alcoholic beverages and tobacco prices increased by 5.8%, including a 7.5% rise in tobacco prices. Household energy costs rose by 4.2%, with natural and manufactured gas prices increasing by 10.8% and electricity by 2.3%.

Consumer durable goods were 2.8% more expensive overall, including a 26.6% increase in jewellery prices, a 6.6% rise for motorcycles, and 5% increases for both living and dining room furniture and second-hand passenger cars. Pharmaceutical products became 5.4% more expensive.

Food prices rose by 0.2% compared with February 2025, though they fell by 3.2% when excluding food and beverage serving services. Within the category, prices for other confectionery products rose by 12.6%, buffet products by 10.9%, and fresh domestic and tropical fruit by 10.3%. Ice cream and meals at restaurants and canteens both increased by 8.1%.

At the same time, several staple food items became cheaper. Margarine prices dropped by 32.3%, canned meat by 26.9%, butter by 19.8%, potatoes by 19.7%, pork fat by 19.5%, milk products excluding cheese by 18.8%, milk by 17%, and flour by 14.9%.

Motor fuel prices were 11.1% lower than a year earlier, helping to moderate overall inflation.

Prices Edge up Slightly Month-on-month

Compared with January 2026, consumer prices increased by 0.1% on average.

Food prices rose by 0.1% overall and were unchanged when excluding food and beverage serving services. Within the category, fresh vegetables became 4% more expensive, edible oil rose by 2.2%, and other meat preparations and ice cream both increased by 1.6%. Preserved and frozen fruits cost 1.2% more.

Meanwhile, several food products became cheaper over the month. Pork prices fell by 3.3%, poultry meat by 2.5%, chocolate and cocoa by 1.8%, eggs by 1.5%, butter and butter cream by 1.3%, and milk by 1.2%.

Service prices increased by 0.4%, including a 1.7% rise in long-distance travel costs, while the price of goods transport fell by 4.2%.

Consumers paid 1.7% less on average for electricity, gas and other fuels, mainly due to a 15.7% drop in purchased heat prices. Alcoholic beverages and tobacco prices rose by 0.7%, including a 1.5% increase in alcoholic beverage prices.

Motor fuel prices rose by 0.6% compared with January, while clothing and footwear became 1.8% cheaper as a result of end-of-season sales.