According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), average consumer prices rose by 4.8% in January 2026 compared to January 2025 (over the last 12 months). Monthly inflation (January 2026 to December 2025) was about 0.9%. Tellingly, monthly price growth in the comparable period last year was much higher (2.8%). The start of the year, therefore, does not raise concerns.
On an annualized basis, the average prices for food products increased by 6.2%, for non-food products – by 1.8%, and for services provided to the population – by 7.2%.
Food prices have been gradually reducing their impact on core inflation over the past 12 months, especially towards the end of the year. The most notable growth here, as reported by the NBS, was recorded in the following categories: eggs – by 23.2%, fruits – by 21.0%, vegetable oil – by 10.1%, bread – by 5.7%, milk and dairy products – by 5.1%, vegetables – by 3.5%.
At the same time, in January, compared to the same month last year, sugar prices decreased by 4.3%. And in the segment of non-food products, average consumer prices increased by 1.8% compared to January 2025. The most significant growth was recorded for footwear – by 5.3%, clothes – by 5.1%, construction materials – by 4.1% and medicines – by 3.6%.
In January 2026 (compared to January 2025), prices for fuel and motor fuel decreased by 5.1%. In the sphere of services provided to the population, average consumer prices increased by 7.2% over the last 12 months.
The most significant increase compared to January 2025 was recorded in the sphere of water supply and sewerage – by 17.7%, public catering – by 11.8%, central heating – by 8.2% and passenger transportation – by 7.5%.
At the same time, compared to January of the previous year, electricity prices decreased by 1.6%.
