Consumer price index in February

News
Posted on 5 March 2010, 10:00
According to Statistics Estonia, the consumer price index decreased 0.1% in February 2010 compared to February of the previous year and increased 0.2% compared to January.

Goods were 0.8% more expensive and services 1.8% cheaper compared to February of the previous year. Food products were 3.1% cheaper and manufactured goods 4.3% more expensive.

Regulated prices of goods and services have risen by 7.6% and non-regulated prices fallen by 2.5% compared to February of the previous year.

Compared to February of the previous year, the prices of motor fuel have increased the most (31.4%), which also had the biggest influence on the index. The index was more notably influenced also by the 5.1% cheaper food, of which bread and cereals (price decrease 9.1%) gave one third and the 8.3% cheaper dairy products also gave a third.

In February compared to January, the consumer price index was mainly influenced by the 12.4% higher prices of fresh vegetables and by the end of sales of clothing. Compared to the previous month, the price of white bread decreased the most (5.9%).

Change of the consumer price index by commodity groups, February 2010
Commodity group February 2009 –
February 2010, %
January 2010 –
February 2010, %
TOTAL -0.1 0.2
Food and non-alcoholic beverages -4.7 0.2
Alcoholic beverages and tobacco 1.6 0.0
Clothing and footwear 2.5 1.2
Housing -4.0 0.1
Household goods -0.1 -0.1
Health 0.8 0.3
Transport 9.8 0.7
Communications -0.6 -0.9
Recreation and culture -2.8 0.1
Education 1.2 0.0
Hotels, cafés and restaurants -2.4 0.3
Miscellaneous goods and services 2.9 0.0