In February, the consumer price index was affected the most by food
According to Statistics Estonia, the change of the consumer price index in February 2018 was 0.9% compared to January 2018 and 3.1% compared to February of the previous year.
Compared to February 2017, goods were 3.5% and services 2.4% more expensive. Regulated prices of goods and services have risen by 6.4% and non-regulated prices by 2.2% compared to February of the previous year.
Compared to February 2017, the consumer price index was affected the most by food and non‑alcoholic beverages, which became 5% more expensive, contributing over a third of the total increase of the index. Fruit was 18.2% and milk, dairy products and eggs 7% more expensive. Alcoholic beverages and tobacco accounted for nearly a quarter of the total increase of the index. 60% of the impact of alcoholic beverages and tobacco came from beer, which was 27% more expensive. Motor fuel contributed a ninth of the total increase. Petrol was 7% and diesel fuel 4.6% more expensive than in February 2017. Compared to the same month of the previous year, of food products, the biggest price increases were seen for eggs (41%), frozen fruit and berries (37%) and butter (25%).
Compared to January 2018, the consumer price index was affected the most by a 5.3% price increase of electricity that reached homes. 0.8% more expensive food, 2.9% more expensive alcoholic beverages and the ending of seasonal sales of clothing and footwear also had a greater impact on the index.
| Commodity group | February 2017 – February 2018, % | January 2018 – February 2018, % |
|---|---|---|
| TOTAL | 3.1 | 0.9 |
| Food and non-alcoholic beverages | 5.0 | 0.7 |
| Alcoholic beverages and tobacco | 10.6 | 2.2 |
| Clothing and footwear | 0.9 | 2.7 |
| Housing | 4.2 | 1.2 |
| Household goods | 0.8 | 0.2 |
| Health | 3.0 | 0.8 |
| Transport | 0.6 | 0.4 |
| Communications | -5.6 | -0.2 |
| Recreation and culture | 2.0 | 1.3 |
| Education | -4.7 | -0.1 |
| Hotels, cafés and restaurants | 5.0 | 1.0 |
| Miscellaneous goods and services | 2.9 | 0.5 |
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.