Analysts predict April consumer price index likely to rise to 6.8%

Poland's consumer price index in April will most likely reach 6.8%, say government officials and analysts. Year-on- year inflation has risen for the first time in eight months, with the jump in food prices in the second half of April cited as the major factor contributing to the increase . According to the report published yesterday by the Central Statistical Office (GUS), food and non- alcoholic beverage prices rose 0.4% in the second half of April, compared to a 1.0 percent climb in the first half of the month. "Based on food prices in the second half of April and our forecasts, we expect that consumer prices rose 0.9% last month, and the year-on-year index rose to 6.8 %," said the Finance Ministry's chief analyst, Jacek Krzyslak. (Gazeta Wyborcza, p.20; Reuters; Rzeczpospolita, p.B2) J.K