NEWS RELEASE
CONSUMER PRICE INDEX
JUNE 2007

June 16, 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 June 2007 was 2495.3. This represented an increase of 0.5 per cent over the index of 2482.6 recorded for May. Similar inflation rates of 0.7 per cent were recorded for the months of May and April. For the calendar year to date June 2007, the rate of inflation stood at 2.9 per cent, in comparison to 3.0 per cent for the corresponding period last year. The rate of inflation for the fiscal year to date was 1.9 per cent. Point- to-point inflation for the period June 2006 June 2007 was 5.6 per cent, down from 8.4 per cent for the period June 2005 to June 2006.

A look at the regional indices showed increases for all three regions: Kingston Metropolitan Area up by 0.7 per cent, Other Towns up by 0.6 per cent and Rural Areas by 0.2 per cent.

All eight major groups recorded higher indices for June 2007 than the previous month.

The index for the group 'Food and Drink' increased by 0.4 per cent, with upward movements reflected in six of the seven sub-groups that make up the group. 'Starchy Foods' had the only decline of 3.5 per cent. The most significant increase of 2.1 per cent was recorded in the index for the sub-group 'Baked Products, Cereals and Breakfast Drinks'. Increases of less than one per cent were recorded in the index for the other sub-groups as follows: 'Meat, Poultry and Fish' (0.9 per cent), 'Meals Away from Home' (0.6 per cent), 'Dairy Products, Oils and Fats' (0.6 per cent), Other Food and Beverages (0.4 per cent) and 'Vegetables and Fruits' (0.3 per cent).

Among the major groups, 'Housing and Other Housing Expenses' recorded the highest increase, with a movement of 1.7 per cent. The Index for the groups 'Health Care and Personal Expenses' and 'Household Furnishings and Furniture' rose by 0.7 per cent and 0.6 per cent, respectively.

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

7 Cecelio Avenue Kingston 10.