Consumer price index increased in March
According to Statistics Estonia, the consumer price index increased 1.7% in March 2010 compared to March of the previous year and 1.3% compared to February this year.
Goods were 2.3% and services 0.5% more expensive compared to March of the previous year. Food products were 1.0% cheaper and manufactured goods 5.3% more expensive.
Regulated prices of goods and services have risen by 10.3% and non-regulated prices fallen by 0.9% compared to March of the previous year.
Compared to March of the previous year, the index was mainly influenced by the price increase of motor fuel, as well as by more expensive fresh vegetables. The impact of the latter on the index was still three times smaller that that of motor fuel. Compared to the same period of the previous year, the prices of heating oil increased the most (46.7%), followed by fresh vegetables (35.3%) and motor fuel (32.7%). Potatoes were by 22%, white bread by 21.9% and apples by 20.9% cheaper.
Compared to February, the prices of fresh vegetables have increased the most (31%), which also had the biggest impact on the index. The index was more notably influenced also by the price increase of electricity and heat energy. Eggs were 11.8% more expensive than a month ago.
| Commodity group | March 2009 – March 2010, % | February 2010 – March 2010, % |
|---|---|---|
| TOTAL | 1.7 | 1.3 |
| Food and non-alcoholic beverages | -2.1 | 2.4 |
| Alcoholic beverages and tobacco | 2.1 | 0.1 |
| Clothing and footwear | 3.3 | 2.0 |
| Housing | 0.1 | 1.3 |
| Household goods | 0.2 | -0.2 |
| Health | 1.0 | 0.1 |
| Transport | 11.1 | 0.9 |
| Communications | 3.9 | 4.5 |
| Recreation and culture | -3.3 | -0.2 |
| Education | 1.2 | 0.0 |
| Hotels, cafés and restaurants | -1.5 | 0.6 |
| Miscellaneous goods and services | 3.0 | 0.0 |