CBS: August CPI up 0.5%

The prices of fresh vegetables saw a 5.2% increase, housing prices were up 1.7%, culture and entertainment – 1.7%, and food – 0.7%
 
The Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS) reported last Wednesday that the consumer price index (CPI) for the month of August rose by 0.5%. The increase recorded is higher than predicted by analysts, who estimated that the CPI would rise between 0.2% to 0.3%.
 
Since the beginning of 2010 the inflation rate has gone up by 1.6%, and in the past 12 months (August 2010 compared to August 2009) it increased by 1.8%.
 
The price hike was seen in several areas: The prices of fresh vegetables saw a 5.2% increase, housing prices were up 1.7%, culture and entertainment – 1.7%, and food – 0.7%.
 
A price reduction was seen in clothing and footwear – 5.3%, cosmetics and washing products – 2.2%, furniture – 1.7%, trips abroad – 1.4%, petrol – 0.7%, and transportation – 0.3%.
 
In the food industry, the prices of chicken went up by 4.7%, ice cream – 3.7%, zucchini – 32.3%, cucumbers – 32.2%m, and melons – 36.7%. The prices of potatoes and sweet potatoes went down by 7.5%, and pomegranate prices saw a 13.2% drop.
 
In the housing industry, the housing services index was up 2.1% and the rent index saw a 0.5% increase. The cost of building index rose by 0.5%.