Wiesbaden (dpa/lhe) - The rise in prices in Hesse slowed down somewhat in February. Consumer prices rose by 8.3 percent compared to the same month last year, as reported by the State Statistical Office in Wiesbaden on Wednesday. In addition to energy products, food in particular has become more expensive. The inflation rate was 8.5 percent in January and 7.7 percent in December.
According to the statisticians, energy costs rose by an average of 15.7 percent year-on-year. Since the beginning of the year, the gas, heat and electricity price brakes have had an impact on consumer prices. Despite these relief measures, however, electricity (plus 23.7 percent), natural gas (plus 17.0 percent) and district heating (plus 4.1 percent) have become significantly more expensive compared to the same period last year.
Consumers also had to dig noticeably deeper into their pockets for firewood and wood pellets (plus 42.2 percent) and heating oil (plus 10.7 percent). For fuel, the cost increase was 2.4 percent year-on-year. Without taking all energy into account, consumer prices rose by 7.5 percent in February, the state office said.
Food prices in Hesse went up by 21.1 percent in February. Dairy products were above average (plus 37.3 percent). According to the State Office, milk prices rose by 32.9 percent. Significantly more had to be paid for bread and grain products (plus 25.0 percent), edible fats and oils (plus 20.3 percent) and meat and meat products (plus 20.1 percent). Vegetables were 14.3 percent and fruit 9.2 percent more expensive than in the same month last year.
