In March, the consumer price index was influenced the most by transport

News
Posted on 7 April 2016, 11:00
According to Statistics Estonia, the change of the consumer price index in March 2016 was 0.8% compared to February 2016 and -0.2% compared to March of the previous year.

Compared to March 2015, goods were 0.3% and services 0.1% cheaper. Regulated prices of goods and services have fallen by 3.0% and non-regulated prices have risen by 0.7 % compared to March of the previous year.

Compared to March 2015, the consumer price index was influenced the most by motor fuel, which has become 11.6% cheaper, with petrol having become 10.7% and diesel fuel 13.5% cheaper. 11% cheaper heat energy and 6% more expensive alcoholic beverages also had a bigger impact on the index. Compared to March of the previous year, liquid fuel has become 26% more expensive and pipeline gas has become 26% cheaper.

In March compared to February, the consumer price index was yet again influenced the most by transport, which provided more than a third of the total increase, with motor fuel becoming 2.9% and plane tickets bought for March 21% more expensive. 1.2% more expensive food and non-alcoholic beverages had nearly the same impact on the index, with 4.5% more expensive vegetables providing more than a third of the impact.

The previous time that the monthly change of the consumer price index was greater than 0.8% was in March 2012 when it was 1.0%.

Change of the consumer price index by commodity groups, March 2016
Commodity group March 2015 –
March 2016, %
February 2016 –
March 2016, %
TOTAL -0.2 0.8
Food and non-alcoholic beverages 0.5 1.2
Alcoholic beverages and tobacco 5.4 0.7
Clothing and footwear 3.2 1.9
Housing -2.7 -0.1
Household goods 0.8 0.5
Health 1.7 0.2
Transport -5.6 2.1
Communications -0.3 0.5
Recreation and culture 3.5 0.8
Education -13.7 0.0
Hotels, cafés and restaurants 3.3 -0.4
Miscellaneous goods and services 1.7 -0.2