Inflation stood at just 0.1% in May, while the annual rate of price growth slowed to 4.8%.
Railway tickets recorded the sharpest increase in prices last month. Overall, ticket prices rose by 8.1%. Fares for economy-class regional trains increased by 26.79%, interregional train fares by 5.72%, and international rail fares by 5.56%. Railway transportation tariffs in Belarus are regulated by the Ministry of Antimonopoly Regulation and Trade. Other notable price increases in May included cabbage, up 11.89%, preschool education services, up 5.56%, and matches, up 4.75%.
The sharpest price declines in May were recorded for fruits and vegetables. Tomato prices fell by 25.23%, cucumbers by 17.86%, avocados by 15.43%, bananas by 14.67%, and sweet peppers by 12.3%.
According to Belstat, since the beginning of the year the largest price increase was recorded for grapes, which rose by 27.28%. Fares for economy-class regional trains increased by 26.79%, suburban public transport fares by 25.88%, and municipal solid waste management services by 23.12%.
Compared with December, the steepest price declines were recorded for cucumbers (-27.57%), apples (-16.92%), sweet peppers (-13.2%), citrus fruits (-12.08%), and bananas (-9.45%).
