Prices increased for October rose by a mere 0.1 percent over September this year, and is in line with the increase in February and June but above a negative 0.3 percent in April. The rate for the rest of the year could be negative based on developments locally and overseas.
The inflation rate, the Statistical Institute of Jamaica (Statin) reveals was mainly due to a 0.2 percent increase in the index for the category of Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages and 0.3 per cent increase in Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas and Other Fuels. This increase in the index for the latter division was mainly as a result of higher water and sewerage charges in October 2014 Statin stated. A 0.8 percent fall of prices in transportation, moderated the effect of the increases, in the other areas. Statin said that the ‘Transport’ division’s index fell as a result of the decline in the cost of airfares, as well as the price of fuel.
Lower airfares helped to keep October inflation low
[…] IC Insider stated in November that “the October number brings the yearly inflation to 7.2 percent to date. The shortage of many locally grown food items, pushed up prices and inflation in the food category for the September by 2.1 percent, the worse monthly increase by far for the year. Supplies are coming back to normal and will moderate prices in this category, so there should be lowering of inflation here. The price of oil have fallen on the world market down to the mid US$70 range and local gas prices at the pumps, having declined sharply. The fall in world oil prices will be passed through to consumers in lower fuel rate by JPS. With all of these developments rest of the year should see negative inflation that may pull the full year rate well below 7%. The inflation rate for 2012 was 8.0 percent and in 2013, 9.5 percent.” […]