NEWS RELEASE
CONSUMER PRICE INDEX
February 2007

March 26, 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 February 2007 was 2437.2 this represents a 0.2 percent increase over the index of 2432.9 recorded for the previous month. In January the rate of inflation stood at 0.3 percent, while for December a movement of 0.5 per cent was recorded. For the fiscal year to date, March 2006 to February 2007, there was an inflation rate of 6.1 percent, relative to 11.3 percent for the corresponding period last year. Inflation for the period February 2006 to February 2007 was 6.2 per cent. The rate of inflation for the calendar year to date was 0.5 per cent.

A look at the regional indices showed increases for two of three regions: Kingston Metropolitan Area up by 0.2 per cent and Rural Areas by 0.3 per cent and Other Towns down by 0.0 per cent.

For the month of February 2007, increases in the index were recorded for seven of the eight major groups. The index for the group 'Food and Drink' increased by 0.1 percent. Upward movements were recorded in five of the seven sub-groups that make up the group, ranging from 0.4 per cent in the index for the sub-group 'Baked Products, Cereals and Breakfast Drinks' to 1.2 percent for 'Dairy products,' 'Oils and Fats'. 'Other Food and Beverages' increased by 0.5 percent, 'Meals Away from Home' 0.6 percent, while 'Meat, Poultry and Fish' moved upwards by 0.8 percent. Downward movements of 0.5 percent and 2.9 percent were recorded in the index for the sub-groups 'Vegetables and Fruit' and 'Starchy Foods' respectively.

The index for the group 'Healthcare and Personal Expenses' increased by 1.0 per cent representing the most significant movement among the major groups. 'Fuels and Other Household Supplies' moved upwards by 0.4 per cent, 'Fuels rose by 0.5 percent while 'Household Supplies' had an increase of 0.3 percent.

The index for the group 'Personal Clothing, Footwear and Accessories' and 'Household Furnishings and Furniture' rose by 0.3 and 0.2 per cent, respectively. Similar increases of 0.1 percent were recorded in the index for the groups 'Transportation' and 'Miscellaneous Expenses', while 'Housing and Other Housing Expenses' declined by 0.2 percent.

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

7 Cecelio Avenue, Kingston 10.