Consumer prices rose by 0.79% in February 2019, compared with the previous month, while annual inflation rose to 3.83%, amid food prices up by 4.46%, non-food goods by 3, 74% and services by 3.08%, according to data from the National Institute of Statistics (NIS) published on Tuesday. In January, the annual inflation rate was of 3.3%.

„Consumer prices in February 2019 increased by 3.8% in February 2018. The annual rate based on the Harmonized Index of Consumer Prices (HICP) is of 4%. The average consumer price index in the last 12 months (March 2018 – February 2019) compared to the previous 12 months (March 2017 – February 2018), calculated on the basis of CPI, is of 4.5%, determined on the basis of HICP, the average rate is 4.1%”, says NIS, according to Agerpres.

The National Bank of Romania (BNR) increased to 3% its inflation forecast for the end of this year and estimates an inflation of 3.1 for the end of next year, BNR Governor Mugur Isarescu announced in February.

In November 2018, BNR estimated inflation at 2.9% for the end of this year and 3.2% for 2020.