In August, food and transport had the greatest impact on the change in the consumer price index

Compared to August 2018, goods were 1.8% and services 3.3% more expensive. Regulated prices of goods and services have fallen by 0.5% and non-regulated prices risen by 3.2% compared to August of the previous year.

Compared to August 2018, the consumer price index was affected the most by food and non-alcoholic beverages, which contributed more than 40% of the total increase of the index. A half of this increase was due to 27% more expensive vegetables. Alcoholic beverages were 5.8% cheaper, diesel fuel 0.6% more expensive and petrol 0.4% cheaper. Of food products, the biggest year-on-year price increases were seen for fresh vegetables (41%), potatoes (35%) and rice (16%) and the biggest price decrease for spirits and liqueurs (9.4%).

Compared to July, the consumer price index was affected the most by transport. Plane tickets purchased for August were 26% more expensive than tickets purchased for July. A greater impact on the change in the index was also exerted by the end of the seasonal discount sales of clothing and a 5.7% increase in rent.

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.