Russian Federal State Statistics Service Rosstat published the consumer price index for September on October 9, 2026. Consumer prices increased by 0.35 percent in September compared to August. This index measures price movement over a month. It is not the same as annual inflation or the personal price increase faced by each household. Rosstat's monthly national indicator aggregates prices based on a basket of products and services tracked across the country. The September index increased by 5.04 percent compared to December 2025 and 6.35 percent compared to September 2025. The reference months for these two comparisons are different: the cumulative change from the beginning of the year to September should not be confused with the change relative to the same month in the previous year.

In September 2025, the monthly increase was 0.34 percent. Comparing these two monthly rates shows the pace of short-term price changes. The annual rate of 6.35 percent instead compares the index levels for September 2026 and September 2025. In subgroups, goods prices increased by 0.25 percent and service prices increased by 0.58 percent in September. In the group containing food products and alcoholic beverages, the index did not change during the month; non-food goods increased by 0.55 percent. The increase in services is above the general monthly rate. This difference shows that a single average rate does not explain the price movement in all parts of the basket.

The Rosstat table shows the groups separately, but each consumer's spending composition and spending weights may vary from person to person. The vegetable and fruit group decreased significantly in September: potatoes became cheaper by 13.1 percent, white cabbage by 12.7 percent, carrots by 12.0 percent, onions and grapes by 9.5 percent. In the same group, tomatoes increased by 5.0 percent, oranges by 3.7 percent and bananas by 2.3 percent. These examples show monthly changes on a product basis. It should not be presented as annual price change or the general trend of all food prices. The single-month movement of seasonal products is a distinct component of general inflation. Among energy items, motor gaseous fuel prices rose 6.8 percent and compressed natural gas prices rose 1.3 percent.

While AI-98 and above gasoline prices increased by 1.6 percent, AI-92 by 1.1 percent and AI-95 by 0.9 percent, diesel prices decreased by 1.9 percent. These are national consumer price changes for September. It is not a live fuel price or regional price list. Differences between product groups prevent a single rate for the aggregate energy cost.