Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- In July 2018, the average level of prices for goods and services in Uzbekistan fell by 0.3% (January - inflation 2.7%, February - 1.1%, March - 1.1%, April - 0.9%, May - 0.8%, June - deflation 0.4%). The inflation rate for January-July of 2018 was 5.9%

The most noticeable prices in the consumer market rose in January (2.7%). In June and July, the seasonal factor affected the fall in prices for fruits and vegetables, as a consequence, to the general level of consumer prices (a decrease of 0.4% and 0.3% respectively), the Uzbek State Statistics Committee said.

The second month in a row, deflation in the consumer sector is due to a decrease in prices for food products, while non-food products and services, on the contrary, acted as an inflationary factor.

An analysis of the impact of price changes on major groups showed that the increase in prices for services and non-food products ensured the increase in the composite consumer price index (CPI) for July 2018 by 0.7 percentage points (pp), the decline in food prices led to a decrease in the value of the CPI by 1.0 pp.

As noted above, food prices on average for the month decreased by 2.3%, which ensured a decrease in the CPI by 1.0 pp.

The saturation of the market with fruit and vegetable products of the new harvest and the associated decline in prices for fruits and vegetables had a decisive influence on price dynamics in the group of food products. Along with the price trend for fruit and vegetable products, the decline in prices for eggs, sugar and dairy products led to a reduction in the consolidated CPI by 1.2 pp.

The increase in prices for meat products, bakery products, non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages, and other food products, on the contrary, ensured an increase of the CPI (an effect of the order of 0.2 pp). Of the main subgroups of food products, the leaders in the growth of prices are croups and beans (1.9% increase), prices for potatoes, vegetables and fruits decreased (respectively, by 27.5%, 14.3% and 13.0%).

The level of average prices for other types of food products did not change significantly.

The increase in prices for non-food products by 1.7% led to an increase in the consolidated CPI by 0.6 pp.

Prices for the main types of goods of this group did not undergo significant changes, except for fuel for cars and household fuel (coal). The effect of the increase in coal prices on the growth of the consolidated CPI was 0.5 pp. or 83.3% of the total impact of rising prices of non-food products.

The second in terms of the degree of influence was the increase in prices for fuel for cars, in particular propane, sold to the population through a network of gas stations. For a month, prices for it grew by 19.3%.

The main impact on the price level was made by changes in stock quotes, as well as the current situation in the market of fuels and lubricants. In the regional context, the most significantly increased prices for propane in Kashkadarya region (1.4 times), the minimal growth was in Syrdarya region (by 8.1%).

Start of implementation of a set of measures to optimize costs due to the modernization of production and the subsequent reduction in the cost of finished goods produced within the republic, as envisaged by the schedule to contain inflation in the third quarter of this year, led to an increase in supply and a decrease in retail prices for brick by an average of 5.0%. Along with this, in July this year the price of cement continued to grow (2.2% a month).

Of the other types of non-food products observed in some regions, prices for such products as personal hygiene products (shampoo, toothpaste, etc.) and television sets decreased. Since June 2018, statistical authorities collect information for monitoring consumer prices for building materials at selective outlets and types (grades, marks) of materials.

Tariffs for services for the population did not change significantly, and in July they increased by only 0.5%. This led to an increase in the consolidated CPI by 0.1 pp.

The growth of tariffs for passenger transport services on average by 0.5% due to an increase in the Ferghana region of the cost of driving in taxis and route taxis - by 3.5% and 25% respectively. At the same time, the strengthening of the national currency contributed to a reduction in the cost of passenger air travel by Uzbekistan Airways (1.4%) and long-distance fares tickets by Uzbekistan Railways (0.7%).