OREANDA-NEWS. On 26 March 2009 was announced, that Belarus’ core inflation was at 1.6% in February 2009, a source in the National Statistics Committee told Prime-Tass. Core inflation was at 3.2% in January.

Staple food prices went up 1.5% on the month in February; non-food prices increased 1.6% and service prices went up 2.3%. In January, the figures were at 2.4%, 4.3% and 2.8%.

In Belarus, core inflation rate reached 11.7% in January-December 2008.

Core inflation is close to basic monetary indicators and does not depend on variables, especially seasonal factors and administratively-controlled price-formation.

Core inflation is the key benchmark for monetary strategies; many countries of the world have their central banks calculate the core consumer price index [in Belarus it is calculated by the National Statistics Committee].