Inflation further decelerated in February this year, as it stood at 6.1% from 7% in January, and against 7.2% in February 2022. However, this deceleration is due to electricity prices, as inflation in food and foodstuffs increased 14.8%.

More specifically, on an annual basis (February 2023 to February 2022), electricity prices decreased by 22.4% and heating oil by 5.1%. On the contrary, they increased in natural gas (37.1%), LPG (15%), solid fuels (25.3%) and fuels and lubricants (2%).

Sta food itemsprice increases were recorded in: Bread and cereals (16.8%), Meat – general (20%), Fish – general (2.6%), Dairy and eggs (25.2%), Oils and fats (22.9 %), Vegetables – general (8.6%), Sugar – chocolates – sweets – ice cream (9.2%), Other food (13.1%), Coffee – cocoa – tea (13%), Mineral water – soft drinks – fruit juices (9%) and alcoholic beverages – not served (7.2%).

There were also price increases in: Clothing and footwear (7.1%), House rents (4%), Home repair and maintenance (6.7%), Utilities (1.9%), Household appliances and repairs (6 .4%), Glassware – tableware and household utensils (7.7%), Household consumables (16.7%), Household services (7.5%), Pharmaceutical products (13.8%), Medical products (2.9%), Medical-dental and paramedical services (1.8%), Hospital care (0.6%), New cars (9.3%), Used cars (8.4%), Motorcycles- motorcycles (8.4%), Automotive parts and accessories (10.7%), Maintenance and repair of personal transportation equipment (4.2%), Transportation of passengers by taxi (32.9%), Transportation of passengers by airplane (47, 6%), Transport of passengers by ship (26.7%), Small leisure items – flowers – pets (4.2%), Cinemas – theaters (18.8%), Stationery and design materials (8.2% ), Holiday Package (13.9%), Primary Education (2.6%), Secondary Education (2.7%), Restaurants-patisseries-cafes-canteens (8.1%), Hotels-motels-inns (5.9%), Hairdressers and personal care shops (4%), Other personal care items (10 .4%), Other personal items (3.9%) and Health insurance premiums (5.7%). Price reductions (1.5%) were noted only in Telephone services.

In a monthly comparison (February to January), the price reduction in Natural gas stands out (21.6%), while there were also reductions in Heating oil (3.9%) and Motor oil (3.2%). On the contrary, there were price increases in Car fuels – gasoline (1.4%) and Electricity (0.3%).

In food items, there were new price increases in: Beef (1.9%), Pork (1.5%), Cheese (2.1%), Olive oil (2.7%), Fresh fruit (1.4%), Fresh vegetables (14.9%), Frozen vegetables (3.5%) and Coffee (2.3%). Conversely, prices fell in Pasta (3.2%) and Vegetables preserved or processed (1.7%).

In the other products and services, price increases were recorded in: Items of immediate household consumption (2.4%), Pharmaceutical products (7.1%), Passenger transport by plane (15.7%), Restaurants-confectioneries-cafés (0.6 %), Hairdressers and personal care stores (1%) and other personal care items (0.6%). On the contrary, prices decreased in Hotels-motels-inns (2.3%) and Telephone services (0.4%).

According to ELSTAT, the increase in the general consumer price index in February came mainly from the changes in the following groups of goods and services:

1. From the increases of the indicators by:

*14.8% in the “Food and non-alcoholic beverages” group, due to price increases mainly in: bread and cereals, meats (general), fish (general), dairy and eggs, oils and fats, vegetables (general), sugar – chocolates – sweets – ice creams, other foods, coffee – cocoa – tea, mineral water – soft drinks – fruit juices.

*2.9% in the “Alcoholic beverages and tobacco” group, due mainly to an increase in prices of alcoholic beverages (not served).

*7.1% in the “Clothing and footwear” group, due to price increases in clothing and footwear.

*10.5% in the group “Durable goods – Household goods and services”, due to an increase in prices mainly in: household appliances and repairs, glassware – tableware and household utensils, goods for immediate household consumption, household services.

*5.3% in the “Health” group, due to price increases mainly in: pharmaceutical products, medical products, medical, dental and paramedical services, hospital care.

*6.5% in the “Transportation” group, due to price increases mainly in: new cars, used cars, mopeds-motorcycles, car parts and accessories, fuel and lubricants, maintenance and repair of personal transport equipment, passenger transport tickets by taxi, air passenger tickets, ferry passenger tickets.

*3.5% in the “Leisure-Cultural activities” group, due to price increases mainly in: small leisure items- flowers- pets, cinemas- theaters, stationery and design materials, package holidays.

*2.2% in the “Education” group, mainly due to price increases in: primary education fees, secondary education fees.

*8.1% in the “Hotels-Cafes-Restaurants” group, mainly due to an increase in prices in: restaurants-confectioneries-cafes-canteens, hotels-motels-inns.

*5.8% in the “Other goods and services” group, mainly due to price increases in: hairdressers and personal care stores, other personal care items, other personal items, health insurance premiums.

2. From the reduction of the index by:

*4.9% in the group “Housing, mainly due to a decrease in prices in: electricity, heating oil”. Part of this increase was offset by the increase in prices mainly in: house rents, house repair and maintenance, utilities, natural gas, LPG, solid fuels.

*1.6% in the “Communications” group, mainly due to a decrease in prices for telephone services.

At the same time, the general index showed an increase of 0.3% in February 2023 compared to January 2023, against an increase of 1.1% recorded during the corresponding comparison of the previous year.

As far as harmonized inflation is concerned, it showed an increase of 6.5% in February this year compared to the corresponding index of February 2022, against an increase of 6.3% noted during the corresponding comparison in 2022 with 2021.

While, it showed an increase of 0.2% in February 2023 compared to January 2023, against an increase of 0.9% recorded during the corresponding comparison of the previous year.