The Bureau of Statistics has reported a further 0.8 percent increase in the overall price level of consumer items monitored in the Urban (Georgetown) Consumer Price Index in the month of June. As a result, the cumulative price index for the year (from December 2003 to June 2004) has increased by 3.6 percent. The release states that on an annual basis, when comparing the price levels from June 2003 to June 2004, the Georgetown index rose by 4.9 percent.
It also mentions that the increase in prices of 0.8 percent in the month of June was influenced by an increase in the Food Group by 1.5 percent. This increase resulted from upward price movements in sub-categories of Cereals and Cereal products by 1.6 percent; meat, fish and eggs by 1.6 percent; milk and milk products by 3.1 percent; oils and fats by 2.8 percent; vegetables and vegetable products by 3.4 percent; fruits and fruit products by 1.1 percent; alcoholic beverages by 1.3 percent and non alcoholic beverages by 0.3 percent. The decreases in the sub-categories of Pulse and Pulse Products by 0.9 percent and condiments and spices by 3.0 percent did not reverse the overall upward price trend in the Food Group.
In respect of other goods and services, the Housing Group increased by 0.6 percent of which sub-categories Rent and Maintenance and fuel and power (domestic gas and kerosene oil) recorded increases of 0.1 percent and 1.3 percent respectively. In the Furniture Group, the price level increased by 0.5 percent with the sub-category Cleaning Materials recording a 1.3 percent increase.
There was an overall 0.1 percent in the Transportation and Communication group. Whereas the sub-categories of Personal Transport (gasoline) recorded increases of 0.1percent and 1.0 percent respectively, there was a decline of 0.9 percent in the price level for Purchased Transport Services (Airfares).
In June, there were also increases in the categories of Medical and Personal Care by 1.8 percent with the sub-category Medical and Dental Care (Doctor Fees) having increased by 6.5 percent and miscellaneous goods and services by 0.5 percent.