In February, the consumer price index was affected the most by transport
According to Statistics Estonia, the change of the consumer price index in February 2017 was 1.3% compared to January 2017 and 3.4% compared to February of the previous year.
Compared to February 2016, goods were 3.7% and services 2.7% more expensive. Regulated prices of goods and services have risen by 7.5% and non-regulated prices by 2.3% compared to February of the previous year.
Compared to February 2016, the consumer price index was affected the most by the price increase of motor fuel. Compared to February of the previous year, diesel fuel was 25.8% and petrol 22.7% more expensive. A greater impact on the index came also from the 4.1% increase in the prices of food and non-alcoholic beverages and from the increase in the prices of alcoholic beverages (5.2%) and tobacco (8.7%). Compared to February 2016, milk, dairy products and eggs were 7.4% and sugar and confectionery 6.4% more expensive. Of food products, the biggest price increases were seen for sugar (28%), butter (24%) and fresh fish (21%).
In February, compared to January, the consumer price index was affected the most by transport. In a month, motor fuel prices rose 4.9% and the plane tickets bought for February were 37% more expensive than tickets for January. A greater impact on the index came also from the 1.6% increase in the prices of food, the main contributors of which were vegetables, which were 7.5% more expensive, and sugar and confectionery, which were 3.5% more expensive.
The previous time that the monthly change of the consumer price index was 1.3% or greater was in March 2010 when it was also 1.3%.| Commodity group | February 2016 – February 2017, % | January 2017 – February 2017, % |
|---|---|---|
| TOTAL | 3.4 | 1.3 |
| Food and non-alcoholic beverages | 4.1 | 1.3 |
| Alcoholic beverages and tobacco | 6.2 | 2.9 |
| Clothing and footwear | 1.8 | 3.5 |
| Housing | 1.9 | 0.0 |
| Household goods | 1.1 | 0.5 |
| Health | 2.1 | 0.2 |
| Transport | 8.9 | 3.4 |
| Communications | -1.4 | -0.3 |
| Recreation and culture | -0.4 | -0.1 |
| Education | 2.8 | -0.1 |
| Hotels, cafés and restaurants | 3.9 | 0.8 |
| Miscellaneous goods and services | 2.5 | 1.5 |
Statistics Estonia publishes the consumer price index on the 5th working day of each month, after the end of the reporting period. For the statistical activity “Consumer price index”, the main representative of public interest is the Ministry of Finance, commissioned by whom Statistics Estonia collects and analyses the data necessary for conducting the statistical activity.