Inflation in Saxony rises for the first time in months

The inflation rate in Saxony has risen slightly again. According to preliminary figures from the State Statistical Office in Kamenz, the annual inflation rate was 2.5 percent - an increase of 0.2 percentage points compared to February. Inflation had been falling in the previous months.

Higher food and service prices hit consumers

In comparison to March 2024, people had to pay significantly more for food and non-alcoholic beverages (up 3.4 percent) and other goods and services (up 5.9 percent). Prices for housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels also rose - by 1.9 percent.

Car owners had to dig deeper into their pockets at the start of spring: both the spring check and cleaning services were more expensive. A trip to the car wash cost 4.9 percent more, repairs rose by 7.6 percent and wheel changes were also 4.7 percent more expensive. One ray of hope: Fuel prices fell by 3.8 percent compared to the previous year.

Easter travel cheaper - but gourmets pay more

The shift of the Easter holidays to April was noticeable for air travel - where prices fell by 8.0 percent - but not for package tours (up 3.2 percent) or overnight stays in hotels and inns (up 3.4 percent).

Those who were already shopping for the holidays in March had to pay significantly more for certain products: Chocolate increased in price by 15.6 percent, coffee beans by 15.4 percent and fruit and vegetable juices by 11.2 percent. In contrast, prices for poultry meat (down 0.7 percent) and frozen fish and fish fillets (down 1.8 percent) fell.

Seasonal effects drive up March prices

Consumer prices in Saxony are expected to have risen by 0.6 percent compared to the previous month of February. The main drivers were seasonal price increases for clothing and shoes (up 3.8 percent) and in the leisure, entertainment and culture category (up 0.9 percent).