PRICES IN AUGUST O.1 PER CENT HIGHER THAN IN JULY

( Editorial: --> 7429 ) ZAGREB, Sept 1 (Hina) - Retail prices in Croatia in August were 0.1 per cent higher than in July and 5.2 per cent higher than in August 1997, the State Statistics Bureau reported on Tuesday. Commodity prices in August stayed the same as the month before, while the prices of services increased by 0.1 per cent. The increase in retail prices was alleviated by a 6.6 per cent drop in retail prices of agricultural products. Costs of living in August were 0.5 per cent lower than in July, but 5.5 per cent higher than in August 1997. Lower costs of living in August were mainly the result of a 0.5 per cent reduction in food prices. Since the beginning of the year, the costs of living have increased by 3.2 per cent. Manufacturer's prices of industrial products in August were 0.1 per cent lower than in July and 2.3 per cent lower than in August 1997. (hina) ha jn 011954 MET sep 98