Inflation in Belarus reached 2.6 percent in the first quarter of 2019, the country's National Statistical Committee said on Wednesday.

In January-March 2019, prices for food products increased by 2.9 percent, prices for non-food products rose by 1.6 percent, and prices for paid services went up by 3.5 percent.

Belarusian authorities hope annual inflation will not exceed 5 percent in 2019.

In 2018, inflation in Belarus was 5.6 percent.