For the 15th month in a row, retail prices dropped further in May, easing some burdens off of consumers. According to figures released by the Hellenic Statistical Authority, significant price reductions have been recorded in potatoes, fresh fruit and vegetables, apparel items, natural gas and vehicle insurance rates. The price of potatoes declined 18.1 percent from May 2013, fresh fruit went down 14.9 percent while other fresh vegetables showed an 13.3 percent reduction. Sugar was cheaper by 8.5 percent and clothing and shoes went down by 9.4 percent. Further on, natural gas rates dropped 10.9 percent, home rental rates dropped 8.4 percent and entertainment services declined by 7.9 percent.
On the other hand however, there was an 11.7 percent rise in electricity rates, a 3.5 percent increase in hotel rates, 2 percent rise in the price of dairy products and eggs, and a 1.6 percent rise in the cost of alcoholic beverages and tobacco, while the rise in oil prices had resulted in a 0.5 percent rise in air tickets prices.