In March, the consumer price index was affected the most by motor fuel and food
According to Statistics Estonia, the change of the consumer price index in March 2017 was 0.3% compared to February 2017 and 2.8% compared to March of the previous year.
Compared to March 2016, goods were 3.2% and services 2.1% more expensive. Regulated prices of goods and services have risen by 5.9% and non-regulated prices by 2.0% compared to March of the previous year.
Compared to March 2016, the consumer price index was affected the most by the price increase of motor fuel. Compared to March of the previous year, diesel was 19% and petrol 18.5% more expensive. Almost an equal impact on the index was caused by the 4% increase in the prices of food and non-alcoholic beverages, of which 2/7 were contributed by milk, dairy products and eggs, 1/7 by sugar and confectionery, and another 1/7 by fish and fish products. Of food products, the biggest price increases were seen for potatoes (25%), fresh fish (24%) and sugar (20%).
In March, compared to February, the consumer price index was affected the most by a 1% increase in the prices of food and non-alcoholic beverages, of which more than half were contributed by 3.4% more expensive vegetables and 3.3% more expensive fruit. The end of winter sales of clothing and footwear and the 3.8% price decrease of electricity that arrived at homes also had a significant impact on the index.
| Commodity group | March 2016 – March 2017, % | February 2017 – March 2017, % |
|---|---|---|
| TOTAL | 2.8 | 0.3 |
| Food and non-alcoholic beverages | 4.0 | 1.0 |
| Alcoholic beverages and tobacco | 6.3 | 0.8 |
| Clothing and footwear | 3.2 | 3.3 |
| Housing | 1.1 | -0.9 |
| Household goods | 0.1 | -0.4 |
| Health | 1.3 | -0.6 |
| Transport | 6.6 | 0.0 |
| Communications | -2.2 | -0.3 |
| Recreation and culture | -0.4 | 0.9 |
| Education | 2.8 | 0.0 |
| Hotels, cafés and restaurants | 4.7 | 0.4 |
| Miscellaneous goods and services | 1.3 | -1.4 |
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.