The Central Bank of Russia published a regional inflation update showing that price growth slowed in May across much of the country. In 47 of 85 regions, prices either rose more slowly than in April or declined, while the remaining regions mostly recorded moderate price increases. Annual inflation also slowed in most regions, and the bank reiterated that it will maintain tight monetary policy to bring inflation down to 4%. Food prices fell in 76 regions, led by fruit and vegetables becoming cheaper faster than the seasonal norm and continued declines in egg and dairy butter prices. Non-food goods prices, excluding petrol, rose at a moderate pace, with many items becoming cheaper. By contrast, price growth and demand for services remained high, driven mainly by personal and medical services and by seasonal increases in health resort trips and rail tickets ahead of the holiday period.