NEWS RELEASE
CONSUMER PRICE INDEX
September 2006

October11, 2006

The September Consumer Price Index Bulletin released by the Statistical Institute of Jamaica revealed that the All Jamaica 'All Group' Consumer Price Index for September 2006 was 2419.8 this represented a movement of 0.7 percent over the index of 2401.9 recorded for the previous month. In August the rate of inflation stood at 0.3 percent, while for July it was 1.4 percent. The rate of inflation for the calendar year to date, December 2005 to September 2006, was 5.5 percent, relative to 11.8 percent for the corresponding period last year. For the fiscal year to date, the rate of inflation was 5.3 percent. The point-to-point inflation for the period, September 2005 to September 2006 was 6.5 percent down from 19.0 percent recorded for the similar period last year.

A look at the regional indices showed increases for all three regions: Kingston Metropolitan Area, (1.0 percent), Other Towns (0.7 percent) and Rural Areas (0.5 percent).

For the month of September, increases were recorded in all the major group indices except 'Transportation', The All Jamaica index for the group 'Food and Drink' increased by 0.9 percent, with upward movements for all but one of the seven sub-groups that makes up the group. The index for the sub-group 'Vegetables and Fruit' registered the most significant increase of 2.9 percent, followed by 'Baked Products, Cereal and Breakfast Drink' (2.2 percent) and 'Other Foods and Beverages', which rose by 1.0 percent. 'Meat, Poultry and Fish' and 'Meals Away from home' increased by 0.9 and 0.8 respectively; there was an upward movement of 0.3 percent in the index for the sub-group 'Dairy Products, Oils and Fats'. The index for the sub-groups 'Starchy foods' declined by 1.1 percent.

The index for the group 'Fuels and Other Household Supplies' increased by 0.1 percent, with an upward movement of 0.4 percent in the index for the sub-groups 'Household Supplies'.

The index for the group' Miscellaneous Expenses' recorded the most significant movement in the All Jamaica index, with a 1.6 percent increase due largely to tuition increases in all three regions

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