Hungary inflation hits lowest level since 2016 as food prices fall sharply

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Hungary inflation hits lowest level since 2016 as food prices fall sharply
Swedens inflation falls to 0.2% in July on energy price drop, core measure rises unexpectedly
Hungary’s consumer price index fell to 1.2% year-on-year in July, the lowest since November 2016, the Central Statistical Office reported on Friday. The figure marked a sharp deceleration from June’s 1.7% and May’s 1.8%, both already below the National Bank of Hungary’s 2-4% target range. Month-on-month, prices declined 0.1%.
Food prices drove the slowdown, dropping 1.1% year-on-year—the first annual decrease since 2016—with meat conserves down 26.9%, butter and margarine 14.1%, pork 13.1%, and fresh domestic and subtropical fruits 12.5%. Excluding catering services, food prices fell 4.4%. Candy and honey rose the most, up 4.9%, while cooking oil increased 3.8%.
Services inflation remained elevated at 4.7%, with alcohol and tobacco up 2.9%. Household energy costs fell 4.3%, including a 10.9% drop in piped gas prices, though electricity rose 1.5%. Durable goods prices climbed 1.8%, pharmaceuticals 3.4%, and clothing 2.1%. Fuel prices edged down 0.1%.
In Estonia, Statistics Estonia reported a 2.2% year-on-year rise in the consumer price index for July, the lowest since April 2021. Goods were 1% more expensive, services 3.9%. Month-on-month, the index rose 0.5%. Housing-related costs were pushed higher by tariff changes, including a garbage disposal price hike of over 50% between June and July, while water supply in Tallinn rose 6.6%. Rent increased 4%, but electricity fell 4.1% from June, though it remained 13.9% more expensive than July 2025. Piped gas was 26.2% pricier year-on-year.
Food and non-alcoholic beverages in Estonia were 1.6% cheaper year-on-year, with fruits and nuts down 10.8%, milk and dairy 3.1%, and vegetables 3.8%. Fish and fish products rose 6.1%, soft drinks 4%. Alcoholic beverages and tobacco increased 6.4%, partly due to an excise duty hike at the start of the year. Petrol and diesel were 6.2% and 12.8% more expensive year-on-year, respectively, while international flights fell 11.4%.
The Hungarian National Bank had previously noted that global food price declines contributed to the disinflation, though rising wheat and corn prices on European markets could soon reverse the trend. Analysts had expected July’s Hungarian inflation to land around 1.5%, with the most optimistic forecast at 1.2% and the most pessimistic at 1.7%.
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