WARSAW, April 15 (Xinhua) -- Poland's consumer price index (CPI) rose 3 percent year-on-year in March, up from 2.1 percent in February, driven mainly by higher fuel prices, according to data released Wednesday by Statistics Poland.
Compared with those of February, transport prices surged 8.2 percent in March, which largely reflected a sharp increase in fuel costs. Polish analysts said it was the key factor behind the pickup in inflation.
Prices of clothing and footwear also rose 4.7 percent from the previous month, while alcoholic beverages and tobacco recorded a moderate increase.
On a monthly basis, the CPI climbed 1.1 percent in March, including a 1.4 percent increase in goods and a 0.2 percent rise in services.
The tension in the Middle East escalated in March, directly affecting economic activities and raising inflation pressure across Europe. ■
