Romania's June 2026 inflation eases to 10.4% as electricity, rents and diesel lead price surges

The National Institute of Statistics reported that Romania's annual inflation rate fell to 10.42 % in June 2026, down from 10.9 % in May. The slowdown was driven by a modest easing in overall price growth, but service prices still rose sharply, with a 13.67 % annual increase.

The biggest contributors to the price pressure were electricity (+59.97 %), residential rents (+43.29 %) and diesel (+28.16 %). Other notable hikes included coffee (+19.9 %), eggs (+13.66 %), milk (+12.13 %) and beef (+11.95 %). At the same time, some items fell in price: potatoes (‑14.47 %), fresh fruit (‑9.48 %) and cornmeal (‑5.49 %).

The surge in electricity costs followed the removal of the government‑imposed price‑cap scheme. The National Bank of Romania said the removal of the cap, together with higher VAT and excise rates, had temporarily amplified inflation, but it expects a “substantial” decline in the third quarter of 2026 as those effects wear off. The bank added that lower aggregate demand and fiscal consolidation should further ease price pressures.