After the publication of data on April’s inflation, which rose to 12.4% y / y. (from 11% in March 2022), economists estimate that its peak may reach as much as 13-15% in June or July. The result of 12.4% means that inflation in Poland has been currently at the highest level for 24 years.
According to the Central Statistical Office, the April increase in CPI inflation was driven mainly by increases in the prices of food (which increased by 4.4% compared to last month) and energy (an increase of 9.2%, respectively). According to analysts, the increases in the prices of these goods are the result of various types of shocks on global markets caused by the war in Ukraine.
“We currently assume an average annual inflation in 2022 of 12-13% with a mid-year peak of 14-15%, providing that the risk is directed towards even higher inflation”, predicts the economist of Bank Pekao, Kamil Łuczkowski.
The team of PKO BP analysts also forecasts further increases in inflation.
“It will grow until June / July when it will reach a peak of approximately 13%. On average, throughout 2022, we expect prices to increase by over 11%. The shape of the inflation curve is of key importance for the RPP, which declares that it will raise interest rates as long as the current inflation grows”, the team says.
According to Jakub Rybacki, an analyst of the Polish Economic Institute (PIE), inflation will grow mainly due to factors that have influenced its high level so far and in the entire 2022 CPI will increase by an average of 11.6%.
“Inflation will accelerate in the coming months due to rising food prices. As a result of Russian aggression and drought in Europe, food prices after summer holidays will be higher by almost 20%, compared to last year”, says Rybacki.
However, according to ING Bank Śląski economists Rafał Benecki and Adam Antoniak, the April increase in inflation is caused not only by food prices. In their opinion, the increase in prices in the Polish economy is wide-ranging and spreads over the other price categories, with many of them not affected by government anti-inflationary shields.
Additionally, analysts emphasize that companies have no problems with translating the rising costs of raw materials and wages into the prices of their products in the conditions of a highly expansionary fiscal policy. According to economists, in June the Monetary Policy Council will raise interest rates for the ninth time in a row – probably again by 75 basis points.
Arkadiusz Słomczyński order