Slovakia's inflation drops to 15-month low in March at 3.5 percent

Slovakia's inflation rate fell to 3.5 percent in March, reaching its lowest level in 15 months in a development that surprised economists. The decline was driven primarily by lower food prices and what analysts termed the "Easter effect," a seasonal adjustment that typically occurs during the spring holiday period. The slowdown in price growth also benefited from the delayed impact of the Middle East crisis on energy markets, as fuel price increases had not yet fully materialized in consumer costs. However, economists warn this trend will likely reverse in April as rising fuel prices begin to affect broader consumer costs, potentially pushing inflation higher in the coming months.