Compared to March 2016, goods were 3.2 and services 2.1 percent more expensive. Regulated prices of goods had risen by 5.9 percent and non-regulated prices by two percent compared to March 2016.

Compared to last March, the consumer price index was affected most by the price increase of motor fuel, with diesel and gasoline prices up 19 and 18.5 percent, respectively. An almost equal impact on the index was caused by the four-percent increase in the prices of food and non-alcoholic beverages, 2/7 of which were contributed by milk, dairy products and eggs and another 1/7 each by sugar and confectionery and fish and fish products. Of food products, the biggest price increases were seen in potatoes (25 percent), fresh fish (24 percent) and sugar (20 percent).

Compared to February of this year, the consumer price index was affected the most in March by a one-percent increase in the prices of food and non-alcoholic beverages, more than half of which were contributed by 3.4 percent more expensive vegetables and 3.3 percent more expensive fruit. End-of-winter apparel and footwear sales as well as a 3.8-percent price decrease of electricity used in homes also had a significant impact on the index.