Prices up during May in Jamaica

Prices mostly rose in May resulting in Jamaica experiencing an inflation rate of 0.2 percent for the month over April this year with the calendar year to date figure still showing no signs of higher prices overall, with negative inflation of 1.4 percent, data from the Statistical Institute of Jamaica (STATIN) reveal.
According to STATIN, the main contributors to overall upward movement in May, were Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages up by 0.1 percent, Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas and Other Fuels up by 0.6 percent and the Transport division advancing by 0.8 percent. The point-to-point movement, that is, inflation for the past year, is 2.1 percent.
“Mainly impacting the index for the division Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages are increases of 0.1 percent and 0.3 percent in the index for the groups, Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages respectively.

Within the division Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas and Other Fuels, the advance in the index for the group Electricity, Gas and Other Fuels of 1.6 percent was moderated by the fall of 1.4 percent in the index for the group Water Supply and Miscellaneous Services Related to Dwelling”, the Statin report stated. The increase in the Transport division was mainly as a result of higher petrol prices.
Other areas of price increase are, Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco 0.1 percent, Clothing and Footwear 0.3 percent, Furnishings, Household Equipment and Routine Household Maintenance 0.3 percent, Health, 0.1 percent, Recreation and Culture 0.1 percent and Miscellaneous Goods and Services 0.2 percent. There were no increases for Education, Communication, Restaurants and Accommodation Services.