Consumer Price Index for 4th Quarter 2022

The Consumer Price Index, which stood at 113.3 in December 2021, registered a net increase of 13.8 points (or +12.2%) to reach 127.1 in December 2022.

The main reasons for the net increase in CPI during the year 2022\ were:
(a) higher prices of meat, vegetables, powdered milk, cooking oil, trader’s rice, fish, fruits, milk preparations, frozen semi-prepared foods, biscuits, sugar, eggs, pulses, some other prepared foods, soft drinks, ice cream and sweets, cheese and other food products;
(b) higher prices of cigarettes, beer and stout, rum and other cane spirits, and wine;
(c) higher prices of ready-made clothing;
(d) higher interest rates on housing loan, higher workman’s wages; higher prices of cooking gas and, materials for maintenance and repair of dwellings;
(e) higher prices of washing materials and softeners, major household appliances and furniture;
(f) higher doctor’s fees;
(g) higher bus fares, taxi fares and motor vehicles servicing charges; higher prices of gasolene, motor vehicles, diesel and air tickets;
(h) higher prices of stationery;
(i) higher expenditure in bar; higher prices of prepared foods, cakes and snacks and, soft drinks in restaurants;
(j) higher prices of goods for personal care and, other goods and services; partly offset by
(k) lower electricity rates.