Electricity, edible oil and hygiene and cosmetics services saw the biggest increases in April this year as compared to April 2020, while significant reductions are found in plane tickets, according to data from the National Institute of Statistics (INS) published on Thursday.

According to the INS, electricity has risen by 16.97% in April compared to the same period of 2020 and by 18.22% compared to December 2020. Compared to March 2021, the price of electricity has remained the same. In April 2021, compared to the same month of the previous year, in the chapter of non-food goods there are price cuts in gas, by 2.16%, and in thermal energy, by 0.21%, while fuels became more expensive by 8.66%, and tobacco and cigarettes – by 6.93%, according to Agerpres.

The annual inflation rate rose to 3.2% in April this year, from 3.1% in March, given that non-food goods rose by 5.21%, foods by 0.76% and services by 2.61%, according to data published by INS.

The National Bank of Romania (NBR) estimates inflation at 2% at the end of the first quarter of this year, 2.2% at the end of the second quarter and 2.4% at the end of the third quarter. At the end of the year, inflation is estimated at 2.5%.