(MENAFN - ING) The Central Statistical Office reported a strong increase in inflation in January, to 2.7% YoY compared to 2.4% in December and the consensus estimate at +2.4%. The inflation surge in January was the result of a strong increase in food prices, despite a high base, by 1.3% YoY vs. 0.8% YoY in December. This is due to a colder winter in Poland and Europe than a year ago, which pushed up fruit and vegetable prices. In addition, in Poland, this was compounded by higher sugar and trade taxes. We estimate that core inflation also accelerated, to around 4% YoY vs 3.7% YoY in December. This is a result of, among other things, an increase in TV subscription fees, limited seasonal sales in January (malls were closed until the end of the month), and rising costs of companies, which have been passed on to consumers.