The consumer price index (CPI) increased 2.3% year-on-year in February, after a 2.2% rise in January. A similar rate of inflation was seen in December.

Prices for food grew 4.4% annually in February. Prices for restaurants and hotels gained 3.5% and those for health and transport rose by 3.4% and 2.7%, respectively.

On a monthly basis, consumer prices edged up 0.1%, after a 0.4% increase in January, CSB said on March 9.