XN000022-1973-10-20 — Page 2

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Saturday, October 20, 1973

SEPTEMBER G.C.P.I. UP FIVE POINTS

The General Consumer Price Index for September 1973 was 181

five points higher than that for the previous month. This was due

mainly to a rise of eight points in the index for foodstuffs.

H

An increase of four points was recorded in the index for

clothing and footwear, while increases of one point each were recorded

in the indexes for fuel and light, alcoholic drink and tobacco, mis-

cellaneous goods, and services. Movements in the indexes for other

sections of commodity were insignificant.

Compared with August, there were increases in the average

retail prices of rice, bread and cakes, salt water fish, pork, other

meat, poultry, fresh vegetables and eggs.

The exceptionally rainy weather experienced last month reduced

considerably the volume of locally produced fresh vegetables.

As a result retail prices of fresh vegetables increased substantially

and this was responsible for over two-fifths of the overall rise of

five points in the General Consumer Price Index. On the other hand, the

average retail prices of fresh water fish, beef and fresh fruits dropped.

A Census and Statistics Department spokesman said that food prices in

particular vegetable prices generally reach their peak each year around

this time.

As to non-food items, prices of clothing materials and also men's,

women's and children's items of clothing and footwear were raised, resulting

in an increase in the index for this section of commodities.

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