Food and service prices in Kazakhstan have accelerated – National Bank

Tengrinews.kz – In April, annual inflation in Kazakhstan accelerated to 10.7 percent (compared to 10 percent in March), according to the press service of the National Bank. Inflation acceleration was recorded in 18 regions of the country.

The highest annual inflation was observed in Astana – 13.8 percent.

Food prices rose more rapidly in April, reaching 8.5 percent (up from 7.6 percent in March). The largest increase in food prices was recorded in the Akmola region (11.2 percent), while the smallest was in Kyzylorda region and Almaty (6.8 percent each).

The growth rate of prices for non-food products slowed in April to 8.9 percent (from 9.1 percent in March). The highest rate was in the Turkestan region (14.8 percent), and the lowest in Pavlodar region (5.9 percent).

Prices for paid services accelerated in April to 15.7 percent (from 14.3 percent in March).

"Prices in Almaty rose significantly above the national average (20 percent), while in Pavlodar region, they were much lower at 8.6 percent," noted the National Bank.

In April, monthly inflation across the country amounted to 1.2 percent.