OREANDA-NEWS  On 25 September was announced, that Belarus’ seasonally adjusted inflation went up 1.2% in August, which compares to 1.2% in July, 1.2% in June, 1.6% in May, 1.2% in April, 1.1% in March, 0.9% in February and 1.5% in January.

“The seasonally adjusted X12-ARIMA consumer price increase made 1.2% in August 2008 instead of 0.17% [the official inflation rate]. Seasonal factors traditionally cut the inflation rate in autumn and winter and boost it in spring and summer,” Mukha said

The 1.2% seasonally adjusted inflation rate in August is equivalent to 15.9% annualized inflation, the analyst added.

Belarus may register slower consumer price increases in September-December, mostly due to mitigation of pressure on the markets of raw materials and food.

The stronger ruble has a somewhat anti-inflationary effect, too, Mukha said. The Belarusian ruble has appreciated against the U.S. dollar 1.7% from this year’s lowest indicators, against the euro 14%, against the Russian ruble 10.7%, and against the pound sterling 15.2%.

Belarus’ Economy Ministry expects consumer inflation to reach 14%-15% this year and 9%-11% in 2011.