Slovenia's annual inflation rate declined to 9.3% in February from 10% the month before, the lowest in four months, as prices of food continued to rise at a rapid rate, whereas energy price growth eased slightly.

Food and non-alcoholic beverages were 18.3% more expensive than in the year before, contributing 2.8 percentage points to the headline rate.

Prices in the group which contains energy costs rose by 7.9%, down from an annual rate of more than 12% in the month before. Solid fuels went up by 72%, but electricity prices dropped by 9%.

Other major drivers of inflation include furniture, new cars and recreational services, show the latest Statistics Office data.

At the monthly level prices went up by 0.7%, double the rate of the month before, on the back of more expensive holiday packages, food and petrol, which together accounted for the bulk of the price increase.

The harmonised index of consumer prices, an EU benchmark, stood at 9.4% at the annual level, down half a point from the month before.