According to Statistics Estonia, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose in January 2026. Compared to the previous month, the index increased by one percent. Compared to January 2025, the index rose by 3.7 percent.
Lauri Veski, head of consumer price statistics at Statistics Estonia, said that the last similar rise in the CPI was in January 2025. At that time, the index increased by 3.9 percent.
Veski stated that in January 2026, the CPI rise was mainly influenced by electricity, food, and alcohol. The spot price of electricity rose very high in January, causing the electricity price index to increase by 22.2 percent compared to December.
Food prices increased by 2.3 percent in January. Vegetable prices rose by 11.1 percent. Meat and meat product prices increased by two percent. Alcohol prices rose by 5.3 percent, as discounts ended and excise duties increased in January.
Clothing and footwear prices fell by 3.8 percent in January. International flight prices dropped by 17 percent. Vacation trip prices decreased by 15.9 percent. Gasoline prices fell by 1.7 percent in January, and diesel prices dropped by 1.1 percent.
Compared to January 2025, clothing and footwear prices fell by 4.9 percent. Transport prices decreased by 1.5 percent, as gasoline prices dropped by 13 percent over the year. Food and non-alcoholic beverages were six percent more expensive than a year earlier.
Housing costs rose by 5.6 percent over the year, as electricity prices increased rapidly. Food prices increased by six percent. The price of fresh or frozen meat rose by 13.3 percent. Coffee prices increased by 23.1 percent. Citrus fruit prices rose by 30.8 percent. The price of fresh or frozen fish fell by 0.7 percent. Fresh berries became 4.7 percent cheaper.
Starting this year, Statistics Estonia used a new methodology for calculating the CPI. The new methodology takes more account of discounted food prices. Initially, Statistics Estonia was supposed to release the data on February 6 at 8 AM, but the release was postponed to Monday, February 9. On February 9, the data release was further postponed to February 16.