Jamaica’s Inflation flat May up 0.5%

Price increases in Jamaica since the start of this year is zero, measured by the All Jamaica Consumer Price Index but it increased by 0.5 percent for May over April this year, the Statistical Institute of Jamaica report shows.
Inflation since May last year is put at 4 percent and was helped by declines in the price of petroleum late in 2014, resulting in just 0.1 percent inflation in October and negative inflation from November to February.
The divisions contributing significantly to the upward movement in the index were Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages influenced by mainly by higher prices for vegetables and starchy foods increased with a 0.5 percent increase.

The category of Housing Water, Electricity, Gas and Other Fuels which rose by 2.1 percent helped push the overall inflation by rise in the index for the group by 0.9 percent and Transport by 0.8 percent mainly due to an increase in price of fuels.
Increased fuel prices added to inflation in May[/caption]Other divisions recording increases were: Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco 0.7 percent Clothing and Footwear 0.2 percent, Furnishings, Household Equipment and Routine Household Maintenance 0.2 percent, Health 0.2 percent, Recreation and Culture 0.1 percent, Restaurants and Accommodation Services 0.1 percent, Miscellaneous Goods and Services 0.3 percent.
Tempering the categories with increases was a fall of 1.7 percent in the index for the group Water Supply and Miscellaneous Services Related to the Dwelling.