NEWS RELEASE
CONSUMER PRICE INDEX
January 2007
February 20, 2007

The Consumer Price Index Bulletin released by the Statistical Institute of Jamaica revealed that the All Jamaica ‘All Group’ Consumer Price Index for the month of January 2007 was 2432.9. This represents a 0.3 percent increase over the index of 2425.9 recorded for December. Inflation for December stood at 0.5 percent, while in November there was a downward movement of 0.2 percent. For the fiscal year to date, March 2006 to January 2007, the rate of inflation was 5.9 percent. Point-to-point inflation for the period January 2006 to January 2007 was 6.0 percent.

A look at the regional indices showed increases for the three regions: Kingston Metropolitan Area up by (0.3 percent), Other Towns by (0.7 percent) and Rural Areas by (0.0 percent),

For the month of January, increases were recorded for all the major groups of the All Jamaica index, with the exception of ‘Housing and Other Expenses’ which declined by 0.4 percent. The Index for the group ‘Food and Drink’ increased by 0.4 percent, with upward movements reflected in five of the seven sub-groups that make up the group. Increases range from 0.1 percent in the index for the sub-group ‘Other Foods and Beverages’ to 1.7 percent for ‘Meals Away from Home’. ‘Baked Products, Cereal and Breakfast Drink’ increased by 0.3 percent, while ‘Dairy Products, Oils and Fats’ and ‘Meat, Poultry and Fish’ rose by 0.4 and 1.2 percent, respectively. A decline of 1.7 percent was recorded in the index for the sub-group ‘Starchy Foods’ and ‘Vegetables and Fruit’ also moved downwards by 0.5 percent.
 

The index for the group ‘Healthcare and Personal Expenses’ increased by 0.6 percent representing, the most significant movement among the major groups. Similar increases of 0.4 percent were recorded in the index for the groups ‘Fuels and Other Household Supplies’ and ‘Transportation’. ‘Household Furnishings and Furniture’ and ‘Miscellaneous Expenses’ moved upward by 0.3 and 0.2 percent, respectively. There was a 0.1 percent increase in the index for the group ‘Personal Clothing, Footwear and Accessories’.

The Consumer Price Index Bulletin January 2007 further outlines additional information and may be obtained from the distribution office of the Statistical Institute of Jamaica.