Inflation at 5.5 percent in 2010

Timoci Vula

Fiji Times - Tuesday, January 11, 2011

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Food price increases attributed to higher prices for vegetables like English and Chinese cabbage

FIJI's inflation rate for the 12 months to December last year was recorded at 5.5 per cent, the Fiji Islands Bureau of Statistics (FIBS) revealed in its report.

The report said the all item consumer price index (CPI) for December 2010 registered an increase of 1.6 per cent over November from 129.0 to 131.1.

In the Bureau's report released on December 31, Government statistician Timoci Bainimarama said prices of food, alcoholic drinks and tobacco among other sectors contributed to those sectional changes.

Mr Bainimarama said the food price increase by 3.5 per cent attributed to higher prices recorded for wheat products, fresh and preserved meat, preserved fruit, fruit juice, mineral water, yaqona, dairy products, fats and oils, tea, milo, cocoa, spices, confectionery and market items such as French and long bean, English and Chinese cabbage, long green chillie, local tomato, cucumber, taro leaves, bele, tubua, onion, potatoes and garlic.

He said prices of alcoholic drinks and tobacco registered a 2.5 per cent increase.

"A higher price (1.0 per cent) was recorded for house paint. Higher prices were (also) recorded for household kerosene (0.5 per cent)," Mr Bainimarama said.

The Bureau's report also revealed that prices of durable household goods recorded an increase attributed to higher prices (0.2 per cent) recorded for electrical appliances, crockery and jewellery.

Mr Bainimarama said the transport sector recorded a 0.7 per cent price increase because of the higher prices recorded for petrol, diesel and spare parts.

Higher prices (0.1 per cent) were (also) recorded for medical goods, toiletries, laundry goods and other household items."

Lower prices were recorded for men's wear, and men's and women's footwear.