Retail prices in Serbia in September inched up 1.7 percent compared with the previous month, with the prices of goods going up 2.3 percent and services 0.2 percent. Compared with December 2003, retail prices increased 9.2 percent, the Serbian Statistical Office said.
The cost of living rose 1.8 percent against August, and 9.6 percent compared with December 2003. The discrepancy between the increase in the cost of living and retail prices was due to different impacts of hikes in the prices of different items on the overall index.
The prices of agricultural products in September were 3.5 percent higher than in August, due to a seasonal increase in prices.
Food products went up 2.9 percent, with the prices of milk, sugar, and meat recording a noticeable increase against the previous month.
The prices of beverages increased 1.5 percent, due to a rise in the prices of non-alcoholic drinks.
The prices of non-food products went up 2.1 percent, due to the increase in prices of oil derivatives.