A 0.8% fall in consumer prices was registered in Armenia this June. The RA Statistical Service reports that the food prices showed a 1.2% fall, with a 0.9% fall in the nonfood prices registered.

RA Premier Tigran Sargsyan stated the other day that Armenia was entering a deflation stage. Nothing extraordinary – seasonal inflation fluctuations are typical of Armenia. This June-September, the agricultural season, deflation and slower rates of price rise are registered every year. Inflation normally follows the agricultural season.

According to the statistical data, the reason for deflation is a fall in the prices for eggs, vegetables, fruit, and sugar. Deflation would be more appreciable if this year’s fruit yield had not been affected by bad weather. However, the statistical data are hardly trustworthy. Specifically, an 8.4% fall in the fruit prices was allegedly registered this June as compared with last June. However, the prices for fruit must have reached the record level this year. Any Armenian housewife will confirm this.

According to the RA Statistical Service, a 4.5% inflation rate was registered this June as compared with last December, and a 5.8% inflation rate as compared with last June. Therefore, the inflation still exceeds the target, 4%±1.5%.