In May 2020, consumer prices decreased 0.6% on the year, falling for the second consecutive month, the national statistical office said on Tuesday.

In April 2020, consumer prices decreased 0.2% on the year, which was their first annual decrease since the end of 2016.

The annual decrease in May was primarily due to transport prices, which account for over 15% of the consumer basket.

Prices of housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels decreased annually by 1.9%.

On the other hand, prices of alcoholic beverages and tobacco recorded the highest annual increase, by 4.3%, followed by prices of food and non-alcoholic beverages (+2.5%).

In May 2020, as compared to April 2020, consumer prices increased by 0.1%.

The highest increases were recorded in prices of clothing and footwear, by 1.3%, and prices of recreation and culture, by 0.7%, while the largest decrease was recorded in prices of restaurants and hotels, by 0.9%.

Thanks to inflationary pressures at the beginning of the year, consumer prices in the January-May period were 0.7% higher on average year on year.