Inflation in Belarus amounts to 2.5% in Jan-April

MINSK. May 12 (Interfax) - Consumer prices in Belarus increased 0.8% month-on-month in April 2026, following a 0.6% increase in March and February and a 0.5% increase in January, the country's National Statistical Committee said.

Inflation amounted to 2.5% in January-April.

Annual inflation (compared to April of the previous year), as in March, stood at 5.4% against 5.6% in February and 6.4% in January.

Core inflation in January-April (excluding regulated and seasonal prices) amounted to 1.7% compared to December 2025, and 0.4% in April (compared to March).

Prices for food products increased 1.7% in January-April (compared to a slight increase of 0.02% in April), and rose 1.2% for non-food products (+0.4%). Services became 5.4% more expensive (+2.8%).

Belarus maintains state regulation of prices for almost all goods in the consumer basket, as well as for basic services.

Inflation in the country reached 6.8% in 2025 compared to 5.2% in 2024 and 5.8% in 2023. This year, authorities plan to keep inflation within 7%.

The leadership of the country's National Bank said in early May that a trend of slowing inflation is emerging in the country and its level this year will be less than 7%. In this regard, the National Bank will consider the possibility of reducing the refinancing rate by 0.25-0.5 percentage points in June. Since June 25, 2025, it has been 9.75% per annum.