Consumer Price Index

Nov.24.06

October

The Consumer Price Index for the month of October, registered a 0.8 percent decline over the month of September, 2006. The “All Items” index stood at 112.8 compared with 113.7 for the previous month. The “point-to-point” inflation rate was recorded at 3.1 percent.

Four (4) of the eleven (11) groups, namely; “Food”, “Fuel & Light”, “Household Furniture & Supplies” and “Personal Services” recorded decreases during the month.{{more}}

The group Miscellaneous” was the sole group to witness an increase. The remaining groups, “Alcoholic Beverages & Tobacco”, “Clothing & Footwear”, “Housing”, “Medical Care & Expenses”, “Transport & Communication” and “Education” remained unchanged.

The “Food” index fell by 1.3 percent, due to lower prices for the following items; tannias (30.9 percent), egg plant (26.5 percent), tomatoes (24.7 percent), oranges (18.9 percent), breadfruit (16.7 percent), cabbages 9.8 percent), carrots (7.9 percent) and sweet potatoes

(7.4 percent).

The 2.6 percent decline in the “Fuel & Light” group was due to a reduction in the fuel surcharge rate for the month of October, 2006.

“Household Furniture & Supplies” and “Personal Services” indices also fell by 0.1 percent and 1.3 percent respectively. Lower prices for fluorescent tubes (26.1 percent) and candles (14.7 percent) contributed to the decrease in the former, whereas, toothpaste (1.0 percent) was mainly responsible for the movement in the latter.

Meanwhile, the group “Miscellaneous” grew by 1.0 percent, due to an increase in the price for nylon fishing line (50.2 percent)n