NEWS RELEASE
CONSUMER PRICE INDEX
March 2007

April 12, 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 March 2007 was 2449.4 this represents an increase of 0.5 per cent increase over the index of 2437.2 recorded for February. Inflation rates of 0.2 and 0.3 per cent were recorded for the months of February and January, respectively. For the fiscal year March 2006 to March 2007, the rate of inflation stood at 6.6 per cent, relative to 11.4 per cent for the fiscal year March 2005 t0 March 2006. The inflation rate for the calendar year to date was 1.0 per cent, in comparison to 0.1 percent for the corresponding period last year.

A look at the regional indices showed increases for all three regions: Kingston Metropolitan Area up by 0.2 per cent and Other Towns by 0.9 per cent and Rural Areas by 0.7 per cent.

For the month of March, all eight major groups of the All Jamaica index recorded higher indices than the previous month. The index for the group 'Food and Drink' increased by 0.3 per cent with upward movements recorded for five of the seven sub-groups that make up the group. These increases ranged from 0.3 per cent in the index for the sub-group Other Food and Beverages' to 1.0 percent for the sub-group 'Meat, Poultry and Fish'. 'Meals Away from Home' rose by 0.8 per cent, 'Dairy products,' 'Oils and Fats' 0.6 per cent while 'Baked Products, Cereals and Breakfast Drinks' moved upwards by 0.5 per cent. The index for the sub-groups 'Starchy Foods' and 'Vegetables and fruits declined by 1.3and 1.2 per cent respectively.

The most significant movement among the major All Jamaica groups was recorded in the index for the group 'Housing and Other Housing Expenses' which rose by 1.7 percent. 'Healthcare and Personal Expenses' followed with an increase of 1.3 percent.

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

7 Cecelio Avenue, Kingston 10.