Carrots raise inflation rate

The Consumer Price Index was up 1.8 per cent for the month.

The rate of inflation for 2013 is 1.89 so far.

Food prices were up 0.3 per cent. Carrots were one of the leading gainers as local farmers were able to get 8.3 per cent more for their product.

The cost of eggs were up 5.9 per cent while the price of frozen spare ribs were up 5.8 per cent in July over June.

The Rent Sector was up 0.2 per cent after no gains the previous two months. Average rental prices for properties not subject to rent control increased 0.3 per cent while rent controlled properties were up 0.1 per cent.

The Clothing and Footwear Sector increased 0.2 per cent as women’s clothing prices increased 0.8 per cent compared to men’s being up just 0.2 per cent.

July was a good month for those in the wedding business as they were able to get 5.7 per cent more for their services. Overall, the Household, Goods, Services and Communications Sector increased only 0.1 per cent. 

The Health and Personal Care Sectors increased 0.1 per cent in July with the cost of self-prescribed medicines and household medicines costing 0.5 per cent more.

The average price of beer increased 0.4 per cent as the Tobacco and Liquor Sector was up 0.1 per cent.

There was no change in the Fuel and power sector.

The Transport and Vehicles Sector decreased 1.8 per cent in July. That was mainly due to the cost of overseas travel. The price of airfares were 6.3 per cent lower while overseas accommodations were down 5.9 per cent.

Locally, car repair and maintenance were up 2.1 per cent.

The Education, Recreation & reading Sector showed a small decrease of 0.1 per cent. The average cost of pet food decreased 1.3 per cent. In contrast, boat fuel increased 2.1 per cent.