The Consumer Price Index increased by 0.3 percent compared to the previous month in February 2019, while the annual inflation rate amounted to 2.3 percent, -the Georgian National Statistics Office (Geostat) said on Monday.

The annual inflation rate was mainly influenced by price changes for the following groups: Alcoholic beverages and tobacco: the prices increased by 16.1 percent, with a relevant contribution of 1.06 percentage points to the overall annual CPI growth. The prices increased for tobacco (32.7 percent); Food and non-alcoholic beverages: the prices within the group increased by 2.9 percent, contributing 0.9 percentage points to the overall annual inflation rate. Within the group the prices were higher for the following subgroups: fish (12.5 percent), bread and cereals (10.2 percent), vegetables (7.6 percent), meat (4.3 percent), also mineral waters, soft drinks, fruit and vegetable juices (2.5 percent). Meanwhile, the prices decreased for fruit and grapes (-23.6 percent) and for sugar, jam, honey, chocolate and confectionery (-3.4 percent); Health: the prices increased by 3.4 percent, which resulted in a 0.29 percentage point contribution to the overall annual inflation rate.

The prices were higher for the following subgroups: medical products, appliances and equipment (4.8 percent), out-patient services (4.1 percent) and hospital services (1.4 percent); Transport: the prices in the group increased by 2.0 percent, with a relevant contribution of 0.25 percentage points to the overall index growth. The prices within the group increased for operation of personal transport equipment (3.4 percent) and transport services (1.2 percent).