Inflation in Moldova jumps to 1.3% in March, annual inflation accelerates to 5.8%

CHISINAU. April 10 (Interfax) - Annual inflation in Moldova accelerated to 5.8% in March 2026 from 5.1% in February and 4.9% in January, the National Bureau of Statistics said.

Monthly inflation in March (compared to the previous month) was 1.3% compared to 0.5% in February and 0.9% in January.

Prices rose 2.7% in January-March compared to December.

The main reason for the inflation surge in March was the rise in prices for non-food products, which increased 2.5% over the month, contributing 0.9 percentage points (p.p.) to inflation. Food prices rose 1% and prices for services increased 0.2%.

The largest price increase was recorded for fuel and motor fuel, with prices rising 12.8% in one month. In particular, diesel fuel became 31.1% more expensive, gasoline 14.2% more expensive, and liquefied gas 15% more expensive.

In the food sector, vegetables rose 6.9% in price over the month, while fruit prices increased 2.5%. However, some goods became cheaper, including eggs (-3.6%) and sugar (-0.4%).

In annual terms, the largest price increases were for eggs (40.7%), fruit (16.5%) and utilities, including water supply and sewerage (19.8%) and electricity (16.4%).

The National Bank of Moldova previously forecast that the annual inflation rate in the country would begin to decline in Q1 2026, after which it would remain relatively stable until the end of the current year within the target range (5% plus/minus 1.5 p.p.). Petroleum products in Moldova have sharply risen in price amid the Middle East crisis, and a state of emergency in the energy sector has been in effect in the country since March 25.

According to the latest forecast from the National Bank, inflation this year is expected at 5% and 4.5% in 2027.

Inflation in Moldova was 6.8% in 2025 compared to 7% in 2024 and 4.2% in 2023.