In December, the consumer price index was affected the most by food and alcoholic beverages
According to Statistics Estonia, the change of the consumer price index in December 2017 was -0.3% compared to November 2017 and 3.4% compared to December 2016.
Compared to December 2016, goods were 4.4% and services 1.6% more expensive. Regulated prices of goods and services have risen by 6.5% and non-regulated prices by 2.6% compared to December 2016.
Compared to December 2016, the consumer price index was affected the most by 7% more expensive food, which contributed over 40% of the total increase of the index. Milk, dairy products and eggs became 9.7%, fruit 13.3% and vegetables 10.7% more expensive. Alcoholic beverages and tobacco gave almost a quarter of the total increase of the index. A half of the impact of alcoholic beverages and tobacco came from 25.4% more expensive beer. Motor fuel contributed a seventh of the total increase. Petrol was 9.6% and diesel fuel 9.9% more expensive than in December 2016. Of food products, compared to December 2016, the biggest price increases were seen for butter (43%), potatoes (33%) and frozen fruit and berries (23%).
In December, compared to November, the consumer price index was affected the most by the 2.3% price decrease of alcoholic beverages resulting from sales. 4.2% cheaper rent for housing, 6% more expensive fresh vegetables, and coffee sales, resulting in cheaper non-alcoholic beverages, also had a greater impact on the monthly change of the index.
| Commodity group | December 2016 – December 2017, % | November 2017 – December 2017, % |
|---|---|---|
| TOTAL | 3.4 | -0.3 |
| Food and non-alcoholic beverages | 6.3 | -0.1 |
| Alcoholic beverages and tobacco | 11.6 | -1.7 |
| Clothing and footwear | 3.6 | 0.0 |
| Housing | 2.1 | -0.6 |
| Household goods | 0.4 | -0.8 |
| Health | 0.7 | 0.2 |
| Transport | 3.0 | 0.1 |
| Communications | -5.3 | -0.1 |
| Recreation and culture | 0.5 | -0.4 |
| Education | -4.8 | 0.1 |
| Hotels, cafés and restaurants | 6.0 | -0.7 |
| Miscellaneous goods and services | 3.6 | 0.3 |
Statistics Estonia publishes the consumer price index on the 5th working day of each month, after the end of the reporting period. For the statistical activity “Consumer price index”, the main representative of public interest is the Ministry of Finance, commissioned by whom Statistics Estonia collects and analyses the data necessary for conducting the statistical activity.