According to Statistics Estonia, the consumer price index in September was at the same level as in August, and the change compared to September 2017 was 3.7%.
Compared to September 2017 goods were 3.4% and services 4.1 more expensive. Regulated prices of goods and services increased by 7.1%, and non-regulated prices by 2.7%.
Also compared to September 2017 the consumer price index was affected the most by housing, which contributed over one quarter of the total increase. 40% of the effect of housing expenses was due to the 10.8% higher price of electricity, and another quarter was due to the 23.4% price hike in solid fuels.
Food and non-alcoholic beverages accounted for over a fifth and motor fuels for nearly a fifth of the total increase of the index. Petrol was 13.3% and diesel fuel 13.5% more expensive than in September 2017. Of food products, the biggest increases were observed in fresh vegetables (23%), frozen fruit and berries (22%) and eggs (21%), and the biggest decrease was seen in sugar (21%).
Compared to August the consumer price index was affected the most by the ending of seasonal sales of clothing and footwear as well as a seasonal price drop of accommodation services.
A greater impact on the monthly change was exerted also by the 2.7% less expensive electricity as well as 1.2% cheaper motor fuels, along with a 4% increase in rents and a 3.5% increase in the price of vegetables. (ERR/Business World Magazine)
