NEWS RELEASE
CONSUMER PRICE INDEX
March 2006

April 7 2006

The March Consumer Price Index Bulletin released by the Statistical Institute of Jamaica reveals that the all Jamaica 'All Group' Consumer Price Index for March 2006 was 2297.1, this represents a movement of 0.1 percent over the index for the month of February, which was 2295.3. Inflation rates of 0.0 percent were also recorded for both January and February 2006. For the calendar year to date the rate of inflation was 0.1 percent, in comparison to 1.4 percent for the corresponding period in 2005. The rate of inflation for the fiscal year to date, March 2005 to March 2006 was 11.4 percent, 1.8 percentage points below the rate of inflation recorded for the corresponding period March 2004 to March 2005.

A look at the regional indices shows increase of 0.2 percent for the 'Kingston Metropolitan Area', 0.4 percent for 'Other Towns' and a decline of 0.3 percent for 'Rural Areas'.

For the month of March 2006, increases were recorded in seven of the eight major group indices, The index for the group 'Food and Drink' fell by 0.3 percent, reflecting the only decline among the main groups. This reduction was due mainly to declines of 4.9 and 2.7 percent in the index for the sub-groups 'Starchy Foods' and 'Vegetables and Fruit', respectively.

The index for the group 'Fuels and other Household Supplies' increased by 0.7 percent. The index for the sub-group 'Fuels recorded a 0.3 percent increased, while 'Household Supplies moved upwards by 1.4 percent.

The Consumer Price Index Bulletin March 2006 further outlines additional information and may be obtained from the distribution office of the Statistical Institute of Jamaica. 7 Cecelio Avenue Kingston 10.