In February, the consumer price index was influenced the most by energy and alcoholic beverages
According to Statistics Estonia, in February 2016, the change of the consumer price index was 0.7% compared to January 2016 and -0.5% compared to February of the previous year.
Compared to February 2015, goods were 0.3% and services 0.7% cheaper. Regulated prices of goods and services have fallen by 2.7% and non-regulated prices have risen by 0.3% compared to February of the previous year.
Compared to February 2015, the consumer price index was influenced the most by electricity, heat energy and fuels, which have become 6.9% cheaper. Heat energy was 10.4%, the electricity that arrived at homes 2.9% and gas 18.6% cheaper than in the same month of the previous year. Motor fuel also had a bigger impact on the index, as – compared to February 2015 – its price has decreased by 10.1%, with petrol having become 8% and diesel fuel 14.2% cheaper. Milk and dairy products have become 6.8% cheaper. Out of the products which have become more expensive, alcoholic beverages had the biggest impact on the index, as their prices have increased 5.6% compared to February of the previous year. Compared to February 2015, of food products, the prices of sugar have increased the most (18%), whereas the prices of butter have decreased the most (17%).
In February compared to January, the consumer price index was influenced the most by transport, with motor fuel having become 3.2% and public transport 5% more expensive. 70% of the impact of public transport on the index was caused by plane tickets bought for February, as they were 16% more expensive. The index was influenced to almost the same degree by the 4.7% increase in the prices of alcoholic beverages, which was caused by the ending of various sales and, similarly to motor fuel, by the implementation of the new rates of excise duty. Of commodities which became cheaper, the index was influenced the most by electricity that arrived at homes, which was 6.9% cheaper compared to January.
The previous time that the monthly change of the consumer price index was 0.7% or greater than that was in March 2013 when it was also 0.7%.| Commodity group | February 2015 – February 2016, % | January 2016 – February 2016, % |
|---|---|---|
| TOTAL | -0.5 | 0.7 |
| Food and non-alcoholic beverages | -0.4 | 0.9 |
| Alcoholic beverages and tobacco | 4.9 | 3.5 |
| Clothing and footwear | 3.9 | 2.3 |
| Housing | -3.2 | -1.3 |
| Household goods | 0.1 | -0.7 |
| Health | 1.6 | 0.2 |
| Transport | -5.1 | 2.0 |
| Communications | -1.0 | -0.5 |
| Recreation and culture | 2.9 | 0.0 |
| Education | -13.5 | 0.0 |
| Hotels, cafés and restaurants | 3.8 | -0.1 |
| Miscellaneous goods and services | 3.3 | 1.0 |