CONSUMER PRICE INDEX
August 2005

The August 2005 Consumer Price Index Bulletin released by the Statistical Institute of Jamaica reveals that the 'All Jamaica' 'All Group' Consumer Price Index for August 2005 was 2214.7, this represents a 0.1 percent increase over the index for the month of July 2005. The rate of inflation for the calendar year was 9.0 percent while the rate of inflation for the fiscal year to date stood at 7.4 percent. For the period August 2004 to August 2005 the rate of inflation was 16.7 percent.

A look at the regional indices shows decline in two regions ''Other Towns' down by 0.3 percent, 'Rural Areas' down by a similar 0.3 percent while 'Kingston Metropolitan Area' increased by 0.5 percent.

For the month of August 2005, increases were reflected in six of the group indices. The index for the group 'Food and Drink' reflected a reduction of 0.1 percent, increases were noted in all but one of the index for the sub-groups that make up this group. 'Starchy Foods' recorded a 6.4 percent decline in the index, while 'Meals Away From Home' showed a 1.2 percent increase, 'Meat, Poultry and Fish' (1.1 percent), 'Dairy Products, Oils & Fats' (1.1 percent) 'Baked Products, Cereals and Breakfast Drinks' (0.8 percent), 'Vegetables and Fruit' (4.1percent) and ' Other Food and Beverages' (0.2 percent).

There was a 2.6 percent rise in the index for the sub-group 'Fuels', while the sub-group 'Household Supplies reflected an increase of 0.7 percent, The index for the group 'Household Furnishings and Furniture' recorded an increase of 1.2 percent.

The August 2005 Consumer Price Index Bulletin further outlines additional information and may be obtained from our distribution office at the Statistical Institute of Jamaica 7 Cecelio Avenue, Kingston 10