CPI up 0.8%, hitting highest rate in 2013
VAT increase pushes June's consumer price index up. Prices of fish, salty cheese increase by 8%; fresh fruit, clothing record significant price hikes as well
Since the beginning of the year, the CPI has increased by 1.3%. According to trend figures for this period, the CPI's annual growth rate reached 2.1%.
The food price index increased by 0.8%. The following food products recorded significant price hikes: Fresh fish (8%), salty cheese (7.9%), pork and jam (4.9%), noodles and spaghetti (3.9%), ice cream (3.6%), chocolate (3.5%), frozen beef (2.9%), fresh poultry (2.7%), root beer (2.3%), cookies and biscuits (1.7%), mayonnaise (1.6%) and hard cheese (1.1%).
The prices of the following food products were significantly reduced: Halva (3.3%), instant coffee (2.7%), syrups and waffles (2.3%), frozen dough and pastries (2.1%), soup powder and cooked food (2%), fresh fish (1.9%) and special bread (1.2%).
The fresh fruit index, which is not subject to VAT, increased by 5.1%, while the fresh vegetable index went up 2.5%. The prices of the following fruit increased significantly: Apricot (up 63.7% compared to June 2012), plums (up 43.7% compared to November 2012), avocado (34%), pears (16.5%), oranges (9%), lemons (6.4%), apples (3.5%) and grapefruit (3.2%).
The prices of the following fruit increased significantly: Artichoke (40.8%), cauliflower (20.6%), zucchini (11.5%), broccoli (9.3%), sweet potatoes (6.2%), garlic (2%) and cucumbers (1.8%).
The prices of some vegetables were reduced, including eggplant (27.7%), corn (14%), beet (6.8%), tomatoes (6.5%), peppers (6.3%), potatoes (5.7%), carrot (5.1%) and onion (1.8%).
Rent, burial expenses increase
The housing price index increased by 0.3% last month, while the rent index went up 0.2%. Apartment maintenance prices rose 1.5%. The cost of building index went up 0.2%.
The clothing and footwear price index increased by 5.9%, but fell 0.9% deducted of seasonal factors. The Central Bureau of Statistics explained that in June the summer clothing and footwear price indices are received by comparing prices to the same month the previous year (June 2012), while the annual price indices are received by comparing prices to December of the previous year (2012). However, the change rates of all groups and items are compared to the previous month (May 2013).
What else became more expensive last month? Cigarette prices went up 3.9%, legal services cost 2.2% more than in May, and the prices of hair products and accessories rose by 1.7%. Burial expense went up by 1.2%.
May's CPI increased by 0.1% due to the rise in cigarette prices as a result of further taxation. In April, the CPI went up by 0.4%, in March it increased by 0.2%, and in February it remained unchanged. January's CPI fell 0.2%.
The highest index in the past 12 months was recorded in August 2012, when the CPI increased by 1%.
