Greek inflation experienced a sharp annual acceleration to 5.4% in April 2026, up from 3.9% in March, marking a significant jump compared to the 2.0% increase registered in April 2025. According to ELSTAT, the general Consumer Price Index (CPI) also recorded a sharp 1.5% monthly increase compared to March 2026, while the twelve-month average CPI rose by 2.9%, signaling steady structural price pressures.The primary catalyst for this surge was an "explosion" in fuel prices and transportation costs, which jumped 10.0% year-on-year due to massive price spikes in diesel (+32.4%), gasoline (+17.1%), other fuels (+42.4%), and passenger transport by air (+18.6%). Simultaneously, housing costs saw a double-digit annual increase of 13.8%, heavily driven by a 53.2% surge in heating oil, a 19.3% increase in natural gas, and a 14.0% rise in electricity. On a monthly basis, housing and transport rose by 4.4% and 3.7% respectively, while a 4.5% increase in clothing and footwear further accelerated the short-term spike as prices returned to pre-winter sale levels.Beyond energy, consumer staples and services saw widespread increases. The hotels, cafés, and restaurants group posted a 6.1% annual increase, led by rising prices in restaurants, pastry shops, fast food outlets, and canteens. Food and non-alcoholic beverages grew 4.4% year-on-year, propelled by specific increments in veal (+19.2%), lamb and goat (+13.3%), and margarines and vegetable oils (+11.6%). Although the food sector experienced a minor 0.4% monthly contraction due to price drops in poultry, fresh fish, and cheese, the annual trajectory remained highly inflated across almost all categories—partially offset only by a decrease in olive oil. Minor economic relief came from the information and communication sector, which dropped 2.2% annually, but systemic pressures from transport, real estate, and insurance premiums firmly drove the headline rate upward. (ICE ATENE)

Fonte notizia: kathimerini.gr