In March, consumer prices in the euro area rose relative to February by 1% and in annual terms by 1.3%, according to the final data of Eurostat. Analysts had expected annual inflation at 1.4%. Excluding energy, food and alcohol prices, consumer prices increased by 1% in annual terms, as it was in February. In the European Union, consumer price growth in annual terms was 1.5% in March. In comparison with the rise of 1.4% in February, March inflation accelerated. Relative to the previous month, prices increased by 0.7%. In annual terms, the most significant growth was observed in Romania - by 4%. In Cyprus, there was a deflation of 0.4%.