Moldova’s annual inflation rate accelerated to 8.6% in September 2026, up from 7.0% in August, reaching its highest level since March 2025. Food inflation picked up to 5.1% from 4.7%, driven primarily by higher prices for vegetables (+8.0%), fruits (+6.6%), and milk and dairy products (+5.7%), along with notable increases in wheat flour and bread, eggs, vegetable oil, and meat, including meat preparations and canned products. Non-food inflation also quickened (9.0% vs. 8.2%), led by a sharp rise in prices for fuels and motor fuels (+34.5%), as well as higher costs for footwear, clothing, medicines, and construction materials. At the same time, services inflation surged to 12.6% from 8.1%, reflecting increased tariffs for passenger transport, regulated electricity and natural gas, drinking water supply, sewage services, and public catering. On a monthly basis, consumer prices rose 1.7% in September, compared with 0.2% in August.