HELSINKI: The year-on-year change in consumer prices calculated by Statistics Finland remained at -0.1 per cent in March. In February, inflation stood at -0.1 per cent.
Inflation remained negative particularly as a result of lower prices of liquid fuels and owner-occupied dwellings compared to March 2014 as per the data. In March, consumer prices were pushed up most by increases in rents, retail prices of tobacco products, and price increases in maintenance services of blocks of flats.
The rising of consumer prices was curbed in March most by reductions in the prices of liquid fuels, owner-occupied housing and dairy products from the year before. In March, the biggest increases and reductions were directed at the same commodities as in February. From February to March, consumer prices rose by 0.3 per cent, which was primarily caused by higher prices of vegetables and fruits, as well as petrol.
Inflation in the euro area was -0.1 per cent in March, the preliminary data show. Each mid-month, Statistics Finland’s interviewers collect altogether around 50,000 prices on nearly 500 commodities from approximately 2,700 outlets for the Consumer Price Index.
