The change in the consumer price index in June was mainly influenced by electricity

News
Posted on 5 July 2013, 11:00
According to Statistics Estonia, the change in the consumer price index was 0.5% in June 2013 compared to May and 3.8% compared to June of the previous year.

Goods were 2.6% and services 6.0% more expensive compared to June of the previous year.

Regulated prices of goods and services have risen by 1.4% and non-regulated prices by 4.5% compared to June of the previous year.

Compared to June 2012, the consumer price index was mainly influenced by housing expenditures, which gave over a half of the total increase, whereas the electricity that arrived at homes – which was 38% more expensive than the year before –  accounted for three quarters of this. Food accounted for nearly a third of the total increase, whereas 25% more expensive vegetables accounted for nearly two fifths and 5.2% more expensive meat and meat products accounted for a fourth of that. In June 2013, motor fuel was 2.5% cheaper than the year earlier. Among food products, the prices of potatoes and apples have increased the most compared to the same period of the previous year – by 97% and 27% respectively. The prices of eggs, sugar and coffee have decreased by 13%, 12% and 11% respectively.

In June compared to May, the consumer price index was mainly influenced by the 23% price increase of electric energy, which also caused a 10.7% increase in the price of electricity that arrived at homes. The index was also influenced by the 0.8% decrease in food prices and the 1.6% decrease in the prices of alcoholic beverages. The reason for this was the sales of meat and meat products, beer and strong alcoholic beverages before Midsummer Day and the 6.3% price decrease of fresh vegetables. In a month, the prices of mandarins increased the most (by 17%) and the prices of tomatoes decreased the most (by 33%).

Change in the consumer price index by commodity groups, June 2013
Commodity group June 2012 –
June 2013, %
May 2013 –
June 2013, %
TOTAL 3.8 0.5
Food and non-alcoholic beverages 4.8 -0.8
Alcoholic beverages and tobacco 4.6 -1.2
Clothing and footwear 4.9 -0.2
Housing 11.9 3.1
Household goods 1.5 0.5
Health 6.8 0.2
Transport -3.0 0.5
Communications -10.2 -0.8
Recreation and culture 3.2 1.2
Education 2.7 0.0
Hotels, cafés and restaurants 6.9 2.5
Miscellaneous goods and services 2.2 0.3

Starting from 12 June, data can be submitted to Statistics Estonia in the new self-service environment at uuringud.stat.ee or via the button “Go to self-service” at the top of Statistics Estonia's website.