**Inflation Rate Rises to 3.5%**
The annual inflation rate in Georgia rose to 3.5% in March, according to the National Statistics Service (Geostat). This is an increase from previous months.
**Prices Go Up by 1.1%**
Consumer prices also went up by 1.1% on a monthly basis. The main factors driving this increase were changes in health care and food prices.
**Health Care Prices Rise**
The price of health care services increased by 8.8%, making it the highest increase among all categories. Other areas that saw significant price hikes include food and non-alcoholic beverages (6.6% increase), restaurants and hotels (6.6% increase), miscellaneous goods and services (6.3% increase), and communication (12.4% decrease).
**Food Prices Go Up**
The monthly inflation rate was mainly driven by increases in the prices of food and non-alcoholic beverages, health care, and clothing and footwear.
**Food Prices Increase for Some Items**
In particular, the prices of vegetables went up by 7.4%, while sugar, jam, honey, chocolate and confectionery rose by 6%. Bread and cereals increased by 4.8%. However, milk, cheese, and eggs saw a price decrease of -0.3%.
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