THE OCTOBER Consumer Price Index Bulletin released by the Statistical Institute of Jamaica reveals that the All Jamaica 'All Group' Consumer Price index for October 2003 was 1,756.7 showing an increase of 1.6 per cent over the index recorded for September 2003.
The rate of inflation for the month of September was 1.6 per cent and 1.4 per cent for the month of August. For the calendar year to date, the rate of inflation was 12.2 per cent, 6.8 percentage points above the 5.4 per cent for the corresponding period in 2002. Additionally, the rate of inflation for the fiscal year to date was 12.6 per cent.
A look at the regional indices shows increases for three regions 'Kingston Metropolitan Area' 1.3 per cent, 'Other Towns' 1.7 per cent and 'Rural Areas' 2.1 per cent.
For the month of October all groups recorded higher indices than in September. There was a 1.6 per cent increase in the index for the group 'Food and Drink'. This movement in the index for this group largely resulted from increased prices for items in the sub-groups, 'Starchy Foods (1.6 per cent)', 'Vegetables and Fruit' (5.8 per cent), 'Other Food and Beverages' (1.6 per cent).
The index for the group 'Fuels and Other Household Supplies' recorded 0.5 per cent this largely due to a 1.0 per cent increase in the index for the sub-group' Household supplies' over the period. There was a 1.9 per cent increase in the index for the group 'Housing and Other Housing Expenses' the result of a 3.4 per cent increase in the Sub-group 'Rental'.
The Consumer Price Index Bulletin October 2003 further outlines additional information and may be obtained from our distribution office of the Statistical Institute of Jamaica 7 Cecelio Avenue Kingston 10.
