Producer Price Index-Agriculture for 3rd Quarter 2019

The Producer Price Index–Agriculture, which was 94.0 in June 2019 increased by 7.1% to reach 100.7 in September 2019. This rise was due to the combined effects of an increase of 7.9% and 3.7% in July and August respectively, followed by a decrease of 4.3% in September.

The index for “Sugar cane” for the period July to September 2019 was 63.2 based on the provisional price of sugar for the 2019 crop. This represents an increase of 14.9% over the 2018 crop. It is assumed that the same price prevails during the whole of the crop year. It is to be noted that the index may be revised at the end of June 2020 when the final price is available.

The index for “Other crop products” increased by 9.1% in July 2019, mainly due to increases of 26.0% in the prices of stimulant and spice and 17.9% in the prices of fresh vegetables (creepers and other fresh vegetables). In August, the index increased by 9.5% mainly due to increases of 17.5% in the prices of stimulant and spice, 12.8% in the prices of fresh vegetables (other fresh vegetables, creepers and tomato) and 6.0% in the prices of fruits and nuts. In September 2019, the index fell by 7.9% mainly due to decreases of 14.7% in the prices of fresh vegetables (other fresh vegetables and creepers), 1.6% in the prices of edible roots and tubers, and 0.7% in the prices of fruits and nuts, partly mitigated by an increase of 12.3% in the prices of stimulant and spice.

The index for “Animals and animal products” increased by 3.4% in July 2019 mainly due to increases in the prices of eggs (+8.1%) and poultry (+4.1%), partly offset by a decrease in the prices of milk (-23.4%). In August 2019, the index increased by 0.2% due to an increase in the prices of eggs (+1.0%). In September 2019, the index fell by 2.9% due to decreases in the prices of eggs (-7.8%) and poultry (-2.3%).