BUCHAREST, Jan 11 (Reuters) - Romania's annual inflation quickened to an annual 5.0 percent in December from November's 4.6 percent, slightly below the central bank's forecast but above market expectations, data showed on Friday.

Consumer prices rose 0.6 percent on the month, the National Statistics Board said. Food and non-food prices were up 0.7 percent and 0.9 percent, respectively, while services fell 0.2 percent from November.

The central bank forecasted inflation at 5.1 percent in December, above its 2-4 percent target, mostly due to food prices.

A Reuters poll of 14 analysts expected inflation at 4.6 percent year-on-year in December.

(Reporting by Ioana Patran; Editing by Sam Cage) Keywords: ROMANIA ECONOMY/

(ioana.patran@thomsonreuters.com)(+40 21 305 52 65)(Reuters Messaging: ioana.patran.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net)

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