Electricity prices rose by 55.49% in May 2026 compared with the same month last year, rents by 43.56% and diesel by 36.85%, marking the largest price increases in a context of annual inflation of 10.9%, according to the National Institute of Statistics (INS) analysis.

'In May 2026 annual inflation reached 10.9%. Thus, the annual inflation rate compared with the same month last year was 10.85%, with the largest price increases recorded in services, 13.53%. Over the same period, prices of non-food goods rose by 12.54%, while those of food products increased by 6.78%,' according to the quoted source.

Among food items, the largest price rises were recorded for coffee, up 21.12%, eggs, up 14.12%, and beef, which increased by 11.58%. Prices for sugar, confectionery and honey rose by 10.59%. Significant increases were also seen for cow's milk, 11.98%, bread, 8.18%, fresh fruit, 7.04%, and poultry, 6.88%.

In the alcoholic drinks category, beer prices increased by 7.98% over the past year, while wine increased by 6.57%. Other notable price rises were recorded for fresh fish, 7.83%, cooking oil, 6.11%, citrus fruits, 3.66%, and cow's cheese, up 5.61%.

At the same time, some food products saw price reductions in May 2026 compared with May 2025, including potatoes (-11.32%), beans and other legumes (-3.08%), flour (-4.38%), cornmeal (-5.27%) and sugar (-1.32%). Butter was slightly cheaper, down just 0.11%.

Among non-food goods, the largest price increases in May continued to be recorded in electricity, which rose by 55.49% following the removal of the support scheme capping electricity prices.

According to the INS, other price increases in this category were also recorded for fuels, with petrol rising by 30.55% and diesel by 36.85%. Heating tariffs increased by 10.70%, while books, newspapers and magazines were 10.62% more expensive, detergents rose by 10.19%, and tobacco and cigarettes by 7.42%. Medicines also saw higher prices, up 4.36%, while personal hygiene products and cosmetics increased by 7.14%. Between May 2026 and May 2025, gas prices rose by 1.53%.

'In the services category, the largest price increases in May 2026 compared with the same month in 2025 were recorded for rents, which increased by 43.56%, followed by water, sewerage and sanitation tariffs, up 15.35%, car repairs, up 15.31%, and personal hygiene and cosmetic services, up 14.72%. Other significant increases over the year were also seen in footwear and clothing repair and tailoring services, up 14.81%. At the same time, medical care became more expensive by 12.81%, urban transport increased by 8.98% and road transport by 13.18%. The only price decrease in this category continued to be recorded in air transport services, which declined by 9.92% compared with the previous year, while compared with April 2026, air transport tariffs decreased by 7.08%. Postal service tariffs, which had declined in previous months, rose by 9.65% in May 2026 compared with May 2025,' the INS underscored.

The institution mentioned that, in the calculation of inflation starting from August 2025, it has taken into account the end of the support scheme capping electricity prices established under Government Emergency Ordinance No. 6/2025, as subsequently amended and supplemented. Moreover, for natural gas, the price cap for household consumers ended on 1 April, being replaced by a new protection mechanism provided for under Government Emergency Ordinance No.12/2026.

The National Bank of Romania (BNR) has revised upwards its inflation forecast for end-2026 to 5.5%, from 3.9% previously, and expects it to reach 2.9% by the end of 2027, according to data presented in May by BNR Governor Mugur Isarescu. AGERPRES (RO - writing by: George Banciulea; EN - writing by: Rodica State)