Serbia: Inflation increases in March
Consumer prices rose 0.50% in March over the previous month, moderating from February’s 0.60% increase. The slowdown was largely driven by slower growth in prices for food and non-alcoholic beverages. In addition, price pressures for housing and utilities also increased. In addition, prices for alcoholic beverages and tobacco dropped.
Inflation increased to 1.8% in March, from February’s 1.2%. Meanwhile, the trend pointed up mildly, with annual average inflation coming in at 1.5% in March (February: 1.4%). Harmonized inflation rose to 1.7% in March from 1.2% in February.
Commenting on the outlook, Mauro Giorgio Marrano, senior CEE economist at UniCredit, added:
“Inflation is likely to rise further, to 2.5% yoy, by May, […] driven by energy prices. It is likely to slow somewhat thereafter before increasing again to 2.2% by year-end. In 2022, it is likely to hover around 2.4%. Oil prices and supply disruptions present the main upside risks to this outlook.“