Electricity became the most expensive in February this year compared to February 2020, with a price advance of 17.2%, according to data from the National Institute of Statistics published on Thursday.

In the food commodity segment, the most significant price increase was recorded for beans and other legumes (plus 16.07%) and edible oil (plus 11.45%) in the same reference range, while in the services sector, telephony (plus 9.16%) and hygiene and cosmetic services (plus 5.89%) became more expensive, according to Agerpres.

In February 2021, compared to February 2020, the most important price decreases were registered for potatoes, with 28.79%, air traffic services, with 20.12% and natural gas – minus 2.18%.

Compared to the first month of this year, in February the postal services (plus 4.28%), vegetables and canned vegetables (plus 2.35%) and fuels (plus 2.22%) became more expensive. On the other hand, the most important price decreases were recorded in the air traffic sector (minus 19.55%).

Among food products, eggs were 0.7% cheaper. In terms of non-food goods, leather footwear fell by 0.02%.

The annual inflation rate rose to 3.2% in February this year, from 2.99% in January, given that non-food goods rose by 3.8%, food by 2.7% and services by 2.32%, according to data published by INS.

“Consumer prices in February 2021 compared to February 2020 increased by 3.2%. The annual rate calculated on the basis of the harmonized index of consumer prices (HICP) is of 2.5%. The average rate of consumer prices in the last 12 months (March 2020 – February 2021) compared to the previous 12 months (March 2019 – February 2020), calculated on the basis of the CPI, is of 2.6%. Determined on the basis of the HICP, the average rate is of 2.1%,” says INS.

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