Brussels - Euro area inflation in April was estimated at 3.3 per cent on an annual basis, down from 3.6 per cent in March, according to preliminary estimates published Wednesday by the European statistical institute Eurostat.

On Monday, the European Commission said it expected consumer prices in the 15-member zone to peak in the second quarter of this year before easing again to produce an average rate for the year of 3.2 per cent.

According to its regular spring forecast, the European Union executive also expects euro area inflation to approach the European Central Bank's target of around 2 per cent in 2009.

The latest surge in consumer prices has been blamed on the increase in the price of commodities such as oil and food.

The 15 members of the eurozone are: Belgium, Germany, Ireland, Greece, Spain, France, Italy, Cyprus, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Austria, Portugal, Slovenia and Finland.

Eurostat is scheduled to publish final figures for April on May 15. (dpa)