In January 2026, consumer prices were on average 2.1 percent higher than a year earlier. Compared to the previous month, consumer prices increased by an average of 0.3 percent, the Hungarian Central Statistical Office (KSH) reported on Thursday.
Compared to January 2025, food prices rose by 1.3 percent (excluding catering services, they decreased by 2.0 percent). Within this category, the price of fresh domestic and tropical fruits increased by 12.2 percent, chocolate and cocoa by 10.0 percent, confectionery and honey by 8.2 percent, ice cream by 7.7 percent, and beef by 7.2 percent. At the same time, within the product group, the price of margarine fell by 29.4 percent, canned meat by 24.9 percent, lard by 22.1 percent, milk by 18.1 percent, dairy products by 17.9 percent, butter and butter spreads by 17.2 percent, flour by 14.8 percent, and cheese by 8.2 percent.
Service prices increased by 5.0 percent year-on-year. Within this category, theatre tickets rose by 19.2 percent, holiday services by 14.2 percent, freight transport by 9.5 percent, vehicle repair and maintenance by 9.1 percent, sports and museum admission fees by 8.4 percent, and personal care and healthcare services by 7.8 percent.
Prices of alcoholic beverages and tobacco products rose by 6.3 percent, including a 7.5 percent increase in tobacco prices.
Household energy prices increased by 6.2 percent, with piped gas up 12.8 percent and electricity up 1.9 percent.
Prices of durable consumer goods rose by 2.9 percent. Within this group, jewelry prices increased by 23.3 percent, motorcycles by 6.7 percent, living room furniture by 6.0 percent, and used cars by 5.7 percent. Pharmaceutical products and medical goods rose by 5.8 percent, while motor fuel prices decreased by 12.3 percent, according to the KSH.
Compared to December 2025, consumer prices rose by an average of 0.3 percent in one month. Food prices increased by 0.6 percent on average (0.4 percent excluding catering services). Within this group, fresh vegetables became 11.4 percent more expensive, while beef prices fell by 5.5 percent.
Service prices increased by an average of 0.4 percent month-on-month. Motorway tolls, car rentals, and parking fees rose by 2.2 percent, while long-distance travel fares decreased by 3.2 percent. Household energy prices fell by an average of 0.9 percent, including a 2.4 percent decrease in piped gas prices. Alcoholic beverages and tobacco products increased by 0.8 percent, with alcohol up 1.5 percent and tobacco up 0.2 percent. Motor fuel prices fell by 1.5 percent. Due to end-of-season sales, clothing prices decreased by 2.9 percent, the KSH reported.
(MTI)
