The annual rate of inflation in Romania was of 5.37 percent in the first half of the year, close to what the Romanian Central Bank BNR had forecasted. In June, the monthly inflation rate was of only 0.01 percent, according to Romania's Statistics Institute INS.

Food prices went down by 0.72 percent in June on May, while non-food products were more expensive by 0.26 percent. Prices for services went up by 0.88 percent.

In the first half of the year, the average monthly inflation rate was of 0.3 percent, similar to the one in the first half of 2012.

The annual inflation this year is estimated at some 4.3 percent, going down to 3.5 percent towards the end of the year, according to the National Prognosis Commission forecast. BNR estimated an inflation target of 2.5 percent, plus/minus one percentage point.

editor@romania-insider.com