NEWS RELEASE
CONSUMER PRICE INDEX
April 2007

May 18, 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 April 2007 was 2466.0. This represents an increase of 0.7 per cent over the index of 2449.4 recorded for March. Inflation rates of 0.2 and 0.5 per cent were recorded for the months of February and March respectively. For the fiscal year to date, the rate of inflation stood at 0.7 per cent, relative to 1.1 per cent for the corresponding period in 2006. The rate of inflation for the calendar year to date was 1.7 per cent, in comparison to 1.3 per cent for the same period last year. Point to Point inflation for the period April 2006 to April 2007 stood at 6.1 per cent.

A look at the regional indices showed increases for all three regions: Kingston Metropolitan Area up by 0.9 per cent and Other Towns by 0.3 per cent and Rural Areas by 0.6 per cent.

For the month of April, all the major groups of the All Jamaica index except 'Housing and Other Expenses' 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. Increases ranged from 0.2 per cent in the index for the sub-group 'Meals Away from Home' and Other Food and Beverages' to 1.3 per cent for 'Meat, Poultry and Fish'. 'Dairy products,' 'Oils and Fats' 0.6 and 'Baked Products, Cereals and Breakfast Drinks' had similar increases of 1.0 per cent, while 'Starchy Foods' and 'Vegetables and fruits declined by 2.1 and 1.6 per cent respectively.

The most significant movement among the major All Jamaica groups was recorded in the index for the group 'Miscellaneous Expenses' which rose by 4.2 per cent. 'This was due largely an increase in the price of cigarettes.

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

7 Cecelio Avenue, Kingston 10.