Since November 2023, inflation has started to rise again in Belgium. In April, the trend was confirmed with a slight increase from 3.18% in March to 3.37%, according to data published by the Belgian Statistical Office Statbel.
If the cost of living is currently increasing, it is in particular because energy inflation is positive for the first time since March 2023. It reached 9.19% in April compared to -1.61% last month.
Increases in natural gas prices (+87.5% over one year) and fuels increase this index. Statbel points to the dissipation of the impact of the basic flat rate for electricity and natural gas as an explanation: “The last effect of the basic flat rate disappeared from the price index in March. The disappearance of the basic package will therefore still have an upward impact on inflation until March 2025 inclusive.
Energy prices: natural gas prices on the rise
If the energy index has increased, inflation for food products (including alcoholic beverages) is expected to fall. It decreased for the 13th consecutive month and stood at 0.25%, compared to 3.21% in March 2024.
In the basket of 50 products (food and non-food) that we have been monitoring for several months, only the prices of a few products have increased over the last month.
| Product | Inflation |
|---|---|
| Tea | +5% |
| Strong beer | + 3.3% |
| Fresh vegetables | +2.9% |
| Wine | + 2.6% |
Conversely, many products have seen a relative price drop over a month.
| Product | Inflation |
|---|---|
| Juice | – 10.3% |
| Concentrated milk | – 6.4% |
| Fresh fish | – 6.3% |
| Fresh fruits | – 6% |
| Yogurt | – 5.8% |
For it to be significant, the evolution of prices must be analyzed over a year. In this case, light beer, olive oil and potatoes recorded the largest increases.
| Product | Inflation |
|---|---|
| Light beer | +20.4% |
| Olive oil | + 17.4% |
| Potatoes | + 13.4% |
Over one year, the price of cigarettes increased by 11.3% and it increased again in April by 1.9% over the space of one month.
Among the products which experienced a marked decline over one year, we find pizzas and quiches, pasta and tea (which however experienced an increase over the last month).
| Product | Inflation |
|---|---|
| Pizza and quiche | – 14.6% |
| Pasta | – 9% |
| Tea | – 8.9% |
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