MOSCOW, May 21 (RIA Novosti) - Consumer prices in Russia grew 7.2% since the beginning of 2008 to May 19, or 2.7% more than in the same period of last year, the federal statistics service said on Wednesday.

Driven by high food prices, consumer prices in Russia increased 0.8% from May 1 and 0.3% for May 13-19.

Food price hikes accelerated in Russia over the summer and fall, following trends on global markets. According to the country's statistics service, the fastest growth last week was demonstrated by sugar (2.4%), white rice (2.1%), as well as flour and vegetable oil (1%-1.2%)

The price of gasoline and fuel oil grew 0.8% and 0.9% in the same period, respectively. Average daily inflation growth in May is over 50% higher than in the same period last year.

In May, inflation is forecast to reach around 1%-1.1%, while the government's target for 2008 is 10.5%.