RIGA, June 9 (LETA) - In May 2025, Latvian consumer prices dropped by 0.1 percent against April, while the annual inflation rate was down to 3.6 percent in May from 3.9 percent in the same month last year, according to the data released by the Central Statistical Bureau (CSB) on Monday.

At the same time, the 12-month average consumer price level rose by 2.4 percent in May against the previous 12 months.

Compared to April 2025, the average level of consumer prices reduced by 0.1 % in May 2025. The drop in the prices of goods and services related to transport (0.4 percentage points) as well as the rise in the prices of food and non-alcoholic beverages (0.1 percentage points), goods and services related to housing (0.1 percentage points), restaurant and hotel services (0.1 percentage points), and furnishings (0.1 percentage points) contributed the most to the price level changes.

The prices of food and non-alcoholic beverages grew by 0.3 percent over the month. Price rise for coffee (up by 7.7 percent, mainly due to the increase in ground coffee prices) had the strongest upward influence on the average price level within the group. The end of short-term discounts led to higher prices of dried, salted or smoked meat (1.9 percent), sour cream (4.3 percent), potatoes (6.2 percent), flours and other cereals (2.6 percent), olive oil (5.1 percent), fresh or chilled fish (4.5 percent), and eggs (1.3 percent). The prices of pork increased as well (2.5 percent), as did the prices of poultry (1 percent), bakery products (0.8 percent), and beef (4.3 percent). However, fresh vegetables witnessed a prices decline of 10.8 percent. Additionally, the launch of promotional offers drove down the prices of cheese and curd (1.3 percent), bread (0.6 percent), vegetable oil (2.7 percent), and milk (0.9 percent).

The average price level for goods and services related to housing went up by 0.5 percent. Maintenance charges in multi-occupied buildings as well as natural gas had the most significant price rise within the group - up by 1.6 percent and 2.3 percent respectively. Price increases were also recorded for the rentals for housing (1.4 percent), heat energy (0.3 percent), services for the maintenance and repair of the dwelling (1.6 percent), and electricity (0.1 percent). However, solid fuels became cheaper (1 percent).

Prices within the furnishings group grew by 1.6 percent. The prices of cleaning and maintenance products as well as non-electric kitchen utensils and articles rose following the end of promotional discounts.

The overall 3.1 percent decline in the prices of goods and services related to transport was largely due to price decrease for fuels for transport - of 4.8 percent, including decreases of 5.7 percent for diesel, 4.4 percent for petrol, and 1.2 percent for auto gas. Reduction was also registered in the prices of passenger transport by air as well as maintenance and repair of personal transport equipment.

The average level for restaurant and hotel service prices grew by 2.1 percent. This was primarily due to higher hotel service prices. Price rise was also registered for fast food services (1.2 percent) as well as restaurant and cafe services (0.3 percent).

Among other commodity groups, the most notable price decline was registered for package holidays as well as articles for personal hygiene and beauty products. However, prices of pharmaceutical products, spirits, tobacco products, and wine increased.

Compared to the average of 2015, in May 2025 consumer prices were 51.5 percent higher. Prices of goods increased by 50.4 percent and prices of services by 52.5 percent.

Compared to May 2024, in May 2025 the average level of consumer prices was mainly influenced by the rise in the prices of food and non-alcoholic beverages (2 percentage points), goods and services related to housing (0.5 percentage points), alcoholic beverages and tobacco products (0.5 percentage points), goods and services related to recreation and culture (0.3 percentage points), health care (0.2 percentage points), restaurant and hotel services (0.2 percentage points), as well as the drop in the prices of goods and services related to transport (0.6 percentage points).

The prices within the group of food and non-alcoholic beverages increased by 7.5 percent over the year. The price rise for coffee (up by 34.7 percent) had the strongest upward influence on the average price level within the group. Increases were also registered in the prices of poultry (18.5 percent), chocolate (33.2 percent), fresh fruit (11 percent), butter (25.8 percent), and eggs (17.7 percent). Cheese and curd became more expensive (6.4 percent), as did milk products (8.5 percent), dried, salted or smoked meat (4 percent), bakery products (5 percent), bread (2.8 percent), milk (5.3 percent), vegetable oil (13.4 percent), and beef (20.2 percent). However, price reduction was registered for fresh vegetables (3.1 percent), sugar (20.5 percent), fresh or chilled fish (9.1 percent), as well as flours and other cereals (3.2 percent).

The average level of alcoholic beverage and tobacco product prices rose by 7.3 percent. Prices of tobacco products increased by an average of 12.2 percent over the year. As the prices of spirits, wine, and beer went up, the prices of alcoholic beverages grew by 4.7 percent.

The average price level for goods and services related to housing rose by 3.2 percent. The most significant increase within this group was registered in the electricity prices, which grew by 9.7 percent over the year. Maintenance charges in multi-occupied buildings became more expensive as well (up by 7.6 percent), as did natural gas (10.9 percent), services for the maintenance and repair of the dwelling (10.1 percent), refuse collection (8.9 percent), rentals for housing (5.2 percent), water supply (6.1 percent) and sewage collection (5.3 percent). However, decline was registered in the prices of heat energy (6.8 percent).

The average level of health care prices grew by 3.7 percent. Price increase over the year was registered for medical specialist practice, dental services, as well as services of medical analysis laboratories and x-ray centers.

The 9.9 percent decline in the prices of fuels for transport was the main factor behind the 4.2 percent drop in the prices of goods and services related to transport. Prices of diesel and petrol went down by 12 percent and 12.1 percent respectively, while prices of auto gas went up by 26.9 percent. The prices of second-hand motor cars also reduced over the year. However, price increases were recorded for other services in respect of personal transport equipment, maintenance and repair of personal transport equipment, tires, passenger transport by train, as well as passenger transport by air.

Prices of goods and services related to recreation and culture grew by 5.2 percent, mainly driven by rising prices of television subscription fee, recreational and sporting services, newspapers and magazines, package holidays, pet food, stationery and drawing materials, as well as flowers.

The average level of restaurant and hotel service prices grew by 4.8 percent. Price increase was registered for catering services, including rises of 3.8 percent for restaurant and cafe services, 5.9 percent for canteen services, and 3.6 percent for fast food services. Hotel services also became more expensive over the year.

Among other commodity groups, the most notable price rise was registered for telecommunication services, pre-primary education, garments, footwear, as well as hairdressing salons and personal grooming establishment services. However, articles for personal hygiene and beauty products as well as motor vehicle insurance became cheaper.