According to the information released by Statistics Estonia, the consumer price index in September decreased by 0.1% compared to the previous month and increased by 3.7% YoY.
Compared to September 2016, goods were 3.7% and services 3.5% more expensive. Regulated prices of goods and services have risen by 7.4% and non-regulated prices by 2.7% compared to September 2016.
Compared to last September, the consumer price index was affected the most by 5.8% more expensive food and non-alcoholic beverages, which contributed more than one third of the total increase of the index. A third of the latter was contributed by 12.5% more expensive milk, dairy products and eggs, and a tenth each by fats (26.4% more expensive), meat and meat products (2.9%), and fresh fruit (8.7%). Of food products, the biggest price increases were seen for butter (47%), low-fat milk (25%) and potatoes (20%).
Alcoholic beverages and tobacco accounted for one fifth of the total increase of the index, of which more than a half was contributed by 26% more expensive beer and a sixth by 6.2% more expensive tobacco products.
The price increase of motor fuel also had a greater impact on the index. Gasoline was 11.3% and diesel fuel 9.8% more expensive than last September.
Compared to August, the consumer price index in August was affected the most by the conclusion of seasonal clothing and footwear sales and the arrival of new seasonal goods to stores. The negative monthly change was caused by 1% cheaper food and non-alcoholic beverages due to a 7.6% decrease in the price of vegetables and 3.3% decrease in the price of fish and fish products.
Plane tickets purchased for September were 11% and accommodation services 9% cheaper than in August as well. (ERR/Business World Magazine)