Acceleration of inflation over past two months caused by temporary factors - NBU

The National Bank of Ukraine (NBU) believes that the acceleration of consumer inflation, which has been recorded over the past two months, was caused by temporary factors, in particular, a rise in prices for certain types of vegetables and fuel.

NBU Governor Yakiv Smolii said this at a press conference on Thursday, according to an Ukrinform correspondent.

"For the past two months, consumer inflation has exceeded the National Bank's forecast. In April, it amounted to 8.8% in annual terms and in May, according to the NBU, it continued to accelerate. However, such acceleration is primarily caused by temporary factors. Among them is a rise in prices for certain types of vegetables and fuel," Smolii said.

He noted that in the second half of the year, the effect of these factors is offset by the sale of vegetables of the new crop, as well as by the cheapening of energy resources on the world market.

Consumer inflation in annual terms amounted to 8.8% in April 2019. The NBU expects this year's inflation to slow down to 6.3% in annual terms and next year to 5%.

op