MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 1983.
THE INDEXES FOR AUGUST 1983 IN RESPECT OF THE NINE COMMODITY/ SERVICE SECTIONS IN THE TWO CONSUMER PRICE INDEXES ARE GIVEN BELOW, TOGETHER WITH THOSE FOR JULY 1983 AND AUGUST 1982.
(OCTOBER 1979 TO SEPTEMBER 1980 AVERAGE = 100)
CPI(A)
CPI(B)
SECTION
AUG.82 JUL.83 AUG.83
JUL.83 AUG.82
AUG.83
FOODSTUFFS
137
143
144
137
144
144
HOUSING
126
138
138
126
137
138
FUEL AND LIGHT
134
144
145
135
145
145
ALCOHOL IC DRINKS
AND TOBACCO (FOR
125
184
183
124
177
177
HOME CONSUMPTION)
CLOTHING AND
129
140
138
129
141
139
FOOTWEAR
DURABLE GOODS
108
113
113
110
116
116
MISCELLANEOUS GOODS
122
132
133
119
131
132
TRANSPORT AND
141
156
156
142
158
158
VEHICLES
SERVICES
135
152
153
134
150
151
ALL ITEMS
132
142
143
131
142
142
COMPARED WITH JULY 1983, THE INDEX FOR FOODSTUFFS INCREASED BY 1 POINT IN CP (A). THE AVERAGE RETAIL PRICES OF LIVE POULTRY ROSE DUE TO HIGHER PRICES OF CHICKENS CAUSED BY REDUCED SUPPLY AND HIGHER FEEDING COSTS AFTER THE ABANDONMENT OF USING GROWTH STIMULANTS.
THE AVERAGE RETAIL PRICES OF FRESH VEGETABLES WENT UP AS A RESULT OF INADEQUATE SUPPLY CAUSED BY ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS DURING THE LATTER PART OF THE MONTH. INCREASES WERE ALSO RECORDED IN THE AVERAGE CHARGES FOR MEALS IN RESTAURANTS. ON THE OTHER HAND THE AVERAGE RETAIL PRICES OF FRESH FRUITS, SUCH AS PEARS AND HONEYDEW MELONS, DECREASED. THE AVERAGE RETAIL PRICES OF SALT-WATER FISH ALSO WENT DOWN. THE EFFECT OF MOVEMENTS IN THE RETAIL PRICES OF OTHER FOOD ITEMS ON THE INDEX FOR FOODSTUFFS WAS INSIGNIFICANT.
THE INDEX FOR HOUSING INCREASED BY 1 POINT IN CPI(B) OWING TO HIGHER MULTI-STOREY BUILDING MAINTENANCE FEES.
/THE INDEX