In February the monthly change of the consumer price index was mainly influenced by food and communication services

News
Posted on 7 March 2013, 10:00

According to Statistics Estonia, the change of the consumer price index was 0.6% in February 2013 compared to January and 3.7% compared to February of the previous year.

Goods were 3.0% and services 4.9% more expensive compared to February 2012.

Regulated prices of goods and services have risen by 3.1% and non-regulated prices by 3.9% compared to February of the previous year.

Compared to February 2012, the consumer price index was mainly influenced by housing expenditures, which gave nearly a half of the total increase. Of which in turn over 80% gave 13.1% more expensive electricity, heat energy and heating. Food gave nearly two fifths of the total increase, of which 7.3% more expensive meat products accounted for over a quarter and respectively 15% and 17% more expensive vegetables and fruit gave over a third. In February 2013, motor fuel was 0.1% more expensive than a year earlier. Compared to the same period of the previous year, of food products, the prices of potatoes and eggs have increased the most (39% and 30%, respectively) and the prices of groats have decreased the most (6%).

In February compared to January, the consumer price index was mainly influenced by 1.3% more expensive food, 3.4% cheaper communication services and 2.8% more expensive motor fuel. During the month, of food products, the prices of mandarins increased the most (47%) and the prices of tomatoes decreased the most (17%).

Change of the consumer price index by commodity groups, February 2013
Commodity group February 2012 –
February 2013, %
January 2013 –
February 2013, %
TOTAL 3.7 0.6
Food and non-alcoholic beverages 6.0 1.2
Alcoholic beverages and tobacco 5.6 0.7
Clothing and footwear 4.4 1.2
Housing 10.4 0.6
Household goods 1.3 0.5
Health 3.6 1.1
Transport -1.9 1.2
Communications -8.2 -3.4
Recreation and culture 0.9 0.4
Education 2.7 0.4
Hotels cafés and restaurants 5.4 0.6
Miscellaneous goods and services 0.9 -0.3