In July 2019 the Consumer Price Index decreased by 0.02 percent compared to the previous month, while the annual inflation rate amounted to 4.6 percent, - the Georgian National Statistics Office (Geostat) said on Friday.

According to Geostat, the monthly inflation rate without tobacco amounted to 0.4 percent in the same period, while the prices increased by 3.9 percent compared to the same month of previous year. With regard to the annual core inflation, the prices increased by 3.4 percent, while the rate of annual core inflation without tobacco amounted to 1.9 percent.

The annual inflation rate was mainly influenced by price changes for the following groups: Food and non-alcoholic beverages: the prices within the group increased by 7.9 percent, contributing 2.33 percentage points to the overall annual inflation rate.

Within the group the prices were higher for the following subgroups: fish (15.0 percent), vegetables (15.0 percent), bread and cereals (12.2 percent), sugar, jam, honey, chocolate and confectionery (9.2 percent), meat (6.9 percent), milk, cheese and eggs (6.5 percent), mineral waters, soft drinks, fruit and vegetable juices (4.2 percent). Meanwhile, the prices decreased for fruit and grapes (-0.9 percent);

Alcoholic beverages and tobacco: the prices increased by 13.7 percent, with a relevant contribution of 0.92 percentage points to the overall annual CPI growth. The prices increased for tobacco (29.1 percent);

Transport: the prices increased by 3.9 percent, which resulted in a 0.48 percentage point contribution to the overall annual inflation rate. The prices were higher for purchase of vehicles (6.8 percent), operation of personal transport equipment (4.1 percent) and for transport services (2.7 percent);

Recreation and culture: the prices went up by 5.6 percent, contributing 0.32 percentage points to the overall annual inflation rate. The prices in the group increased for recreational and cultural services (6.5 percent);

Health: the prices went up by 3.5 percent, contributing 0.29 percentage points to the overall annual inflation rate. The prices increased for the following subgroups: medical products, appliances and equipment (4.9 percent), out-patient services (3.4 percent) and hospital services (1.7 percent).