Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1698831364646.pdf (Saint Vincent and the Grenadines)
THE STATISTICAL OFFICE MINISTRY OF FINANCE, ECONOMIC PLANNING ETC.

ST VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES Tel: 784 457 2921, 456 1111 Ext 592/353 Fax: 784 456 2430 Vol.

13 No.5 May 2023 i TABLE OF CONTENTS Page No.

Analysis – 1 Table No.

1 Average Retail Price of Selected Items 4 2 Average Retail Price of Selected Items May 2023 compared With May 2022 5 3 The Consumer Price Index by main groups 9 4 The Consumer Price Index contribution to change by Groups 11 5 Monthly Items by Group 12 Chart No.
1 COICOP Percentage Change for the Month of May 2023 10 * * * 1 MAY 2023 The consumer price index recorded an increase of 0.5 percent for the month of May 2023, compared to 1.0 percent increase for the month of April 2023 (See table 3).

During the month of May 2023, the “All Items” index was recorded at 123.6 compared to 123.0 for the month of April 2023.
Five (5) groups recorded increases during the month, namely; “Transport” (4.1%), “Recreation and Culture” (3.0%), “Furnishings, Household Equipment and Household Maintenance” (2.4%), “Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages (0.3%) and “Miscellaneous Goods and Services” (0.1%).

Five (5) groups recorded a decrease; “Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas and Other Fuels” (1.2%), “Hotels and Restaurants” (1.0%), “Health” (0.3%), “Clothing and Footwear” (0.2%) and “Alcoholic Beverages, Tobacco and Narcotics” (0.1%).
Two (2) groups remained unchanged; “Communication” and “Education”, (See table 3).

The 4.1 percent increase in the index for “Transport” is mainly due to higher prices for passenger airfare from St. Vincent and the Grenadines to several destinations, which includes: London, United Kingdom (56.7%), Trinidad (44.3%), Antigua (32.6%) and Miami, U.S.A (17.4%).

Also, an increase of 16.6% for spark plugs and 10.3% for an oil filter contributed to the increase.
The group index for “Recreation and Culture” grew by 3.0 percent due mainly to an increase in the cost of carnival costumes.

The price of adult costumes increased by 25.0 percent and children’s by 14.3 percent.

2 The increase of 2.4 percent in the group index for “Furnishings, Household Equipment and Household Maintenance” was mainly on account of a 51.6 increase in the price of a dinner plate and 42.1 percent for a large bath towel.
“Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages” grew by 0.3 percent due to an increase in the price of several food items which includes: broccoli (43.7%), cocoa powder (39.3%), Vienna sausage (26.5%), red seedless grapes (18.3%), pasta –penne (15.8%), imported pineapple (11.9%), an evaporated milk (9.7%), limes (7.0%), watermelon (7.0%) and oranges (6.7%).

“Miscellaneous Goods and Services” increased by 0.1 percent mainly due to a higher price for a toothpaste (3.8%) and a bath soap (2.2%).
Meanwhile, the group index for “Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas and Other Fuels” declined by 1.2 percent.

This is attributable to a decrease of 6.6 percent in the price for electricity which resulted from a lower fuel surcharge rate of 61.16 cents per kilowatt hour for May 2023 compared to 69.06 for April 2023.
“Hotels and Restaurants” decreased by 1.0 percent due to a 20.0 percent decline in the price for chicken and fries, while the “Health” index fell by 0.3 percent due to a reduction of 14.3 percent in the price of a drug that is used in the treatment of hypertension.
3 The index for “Clothing and Footwear” declined by 0.2 percent due mainly to an 11.4 percent decrease in the price for a men’s long pants, while “Alcoholic Beverages, Narcotics and Tobacco” fell by 0.1 percent due to an 11.3% decrease in the price of a Tequila.

The point-to-point inflation rate stood at 4.7 percent for the month of May 2023 compared to 5.5 percent for May 2022.
The groups that accounted for the largest increases during the period were, “Furnishings, Household Equipment and Household Maintenance” (12.6%), Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages” (10.4%), “Recreation and Culture” (8.4%), “Miscellaneous Goods and Services" (6.5%), “Transport” (6.0%) and “Hotels and Restaurants” (5.6%), (See table 3).

The consumer price index increased by 0.5 percent for May 2023.
The point-to-point inflation rate stood at 4.7 due to relative price changes during the month of May 2023 compared with the same period in the previous year.
Unit Average Price ChangePercentageItemsof EC$in ChangeQuantityMayAprilPricein20232023PriceINCREASEDPasta, penne300g pk.3.953.410.5415.8Vienna sausage130g tin4.303.400.9026.5Evaporated milk405g tin4.544.140.409.7OrangesEach1.591.490.106.7Red seedless grapesLb16.4513.902.5518.3Pineapple (imported)Lb6.705.990.7111.9WatermelonLb5.485.120.367.0LimesLb5.334.980.357.0BroccoliLb19.1813.355.8343.7Cocoa powder200g tin23.2016.656.5539.3Bath towel (large)Each49.9535.1414.8142.1Dinner platesEach13.228.724.5051.6Passenger airfare from St. Vincent and the Grenadines to:Miami1 month3368.962869.05499.9117.4London, United Kingdom1 month4712.803006.801706.0056.7Trinidad1 way605.50419.49186.0144.3Antigua1 way927.11698.92228.1932.6Oil filterEach38.5034.903.6010.3Spark plugsEach15.2613.092.1716.6LaptopEach1599.281454.46144.8210.0Carnival costumes:AdultsEach500.00400.00100.0025.0ChildrenEach200.00175.0025.0014.3Bath soap80g2.292.240.052.2Toothpaste113g Tube13.7013.200.503.8DECREASEDDrumstickLb3.844.15-0.31-7.5Canola oil1.42Litres35.1539.15-4.00-10.2Cabbage (local)Lb5.415.99-0.58-9.7Tomatoes (local)Lb5.946.45-0.51-7.9Tequila750ml bottle69.9278.82-8.90-11.3School shirt (white)Each20.9526.95-6.00-22.3Men's long pantsEach69.9578.99-9.04-11.4Electricity consumption150Kwh166.74178.59-11.85-6.6Drugs for hypertension (10mg)28 tablets6.007.00-1.00-14.3Passenger airfare from St. Vincent and the Grenadines to to New York1 month2856.413359.04-502.63-15.0Dog food375g Tin13.1414.39-1.25-8.7Chicken and Fries (5 pieces)Each12.0015.00-3.00-20.0Table 1Average Retail Price of Selected Items4 UnitChangePercentageItemsofinChangeQuantityMayMayPricein20232022PriceFOOD AND NON-ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGESRice - Loose1lb1.991.950.042.05Rice - Packaged2kg9.979.770.202.05Flour - Loose1 lb1.891.600.2918.13Flour - Packaged ( white)2kg9.167.801.3617.44Flour - Packaged ( wholewheat)2kg9.607.971.6320.45Cornflakes 510g Box15.6613.322.3417.57Bread - Large Sandwich Loaf (white)Each5.244.530.7115.67Bread- Small Loaf, white5 pk2.912.580.3312.79Bread - Large Sandwich Loaf (whole
 wheat)Each6.185.670.518.99Crix - salted crackers, White288g (3 pk)6.535.960.579.56Pasta - Elbows340 g5.285.090.193.73Beef - Fresh1 lb10.0010.000.000.00Pigtail - salted1 lb12.2911.310.988.66Chicken - Leg Quarters1 lb3.613.510.102.85Chicken - Backs1 lb2.722.270.4519.82Chicken - Wings1 lb5.655.190.468.86Turkey Wings1 lb5.254.440.8118.24Luncheon Meat (pork)340 g9.008.840.161.81Corned beef340g10.009.580.424.38Fish - Fresh (Deep Sea)1 lb12.009.003.0033.33Fish - Fresh (Jacks)1 lb5.005.000.000.00Fish - Fresh (Robin)1 lb5.005.000.000.00Codfish1 lb14.8215.45-0.63-4.08Sardine in soya oil106g Tin5.154.840.316.40Milk - Evaporated410g Tin4.143.170.9730.60Powdered milk - full cream1 lb8.507.990.516.38Eggs1 Doz12.3110.591.7216.24Margarine445g Tub13.1311.201.9317.23Soya bean oil 1Litre17.4016.401.006.10Coconut oil750ml Bottle38.8530.608.2526.96Bananas (ripe)1 lb1.591.63-0.04-2.45Limes1 lb5.335.000.336.60Tomatoes1 lb5.946.41-0.47-7.33Sweet Potatoes1 lb3.372.720.6523.90Yams1 lb3.434.72-1.29-27.33Sugar - Brown ( loose)1 lb2.271.900.3719.47Sugar - White ( loose)1 lb2.622.470.156.07Ice cream1 Litre Tub18.0617.810.251.40Tomato Ketchup750ml Bottle9.537.052.4835.18Orange Juice1 Litre box9.237.052.1830.92Vitamalt310 ml Bottle5.955.780.172.94 Table 2.1Average Retail Price of Selected Items May 2023 Compared With May 2022AverageEC$5 UnitChangePercentageItemsofinChangeQuantityMay May Pricein20232022PriceALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES, TOBACCO & NARCOTICSRum - Local (White)750 ml Bot.45.7438.527.2218.74Beer - Local 280 ml Bot.4.904.94-0.04-0.81Cigarettes Pkt.
(10)3.813.380.4312.72Table wine (local)26 oz Bot.28.4126.272.148.15Vodka750ml Bot.52.1450.601.543.04CLOTHING & FOOTWEARTextile material - Cotton 1Yd.14.0913.730.362.62Textile material - Tetrex 1Yd.12.4411.441.008.74Men's Shirts - Long SleeveEach73.4875.98-2.50-3.29Men's Jeans ( long)Pair68.9871.38-2.40-3.36Men's Shoes -FormalPair113.46134.50-21.04-15.64Women's Shoes - Formal Pair73.1973.28-0.09-0.12Women's Blouse Each36.7340.97-4.24-10.35School shirt - white, size 10Each16.4516.420.030.18School overal , navy blue, size 8Each49.8246.952.876.11HOUSING, WATER, ELECTRICITYGAS AND OTHER FUELSRent : Unfurnished House - 2 BedroomsMonth785.00785.000.000.00 Unfurnished House - 3 BedroomsMonth750.00750.000.000.00Furnished Apartment - 2 BedroomsMonth812.50812.500.000.00Water - Consumption Charge5000 Gallons35.0035.000.000.00Electricity Consumption Charge 300 KWH337.48340.44-2.96-0.87Cooking Gas20 Lb.
Cyl.45.7643.901.864.24FURNISHING, HOUSEHOLD EQUIPMENT AND HOUSEHOLDMAINTENANCEBed - queen sizeEach2,999.002,537.72461.2818.18Sheets - queen size, 300 thread count, 100% cottonEach194.95169.9525.0014.71Dinner forksEach6.954.952.0040.40Powder detergent500g Pk5.954.841.1122.93Toilet tissue, 280 sheets per roll1 Roll1.651.520.138.55 Table 2.2Average Retail Price of Selected Items May 2023 Compared With May 2022AverageEC$6 UnitChangePercentageItemsofinChangeQuantityMay May Pricein20232022PriceHEALTHDoctor's Fee - GynaecologistVisit80.0080.000.000.00Doctor's Fee - General PractitionerVisit60.0060.000.000.00Blood test - CBCTest27.3927.390.000.00Drugs for Hypertension Month supply6.396.88-0.49-7.12Drug for Diabetes Month supply4.995.25-0.26-4.95Dental CareVisit149.47143.565.914.12TRANSPORT Petrol - UnleadedGallon15.6815.350.332.15Vehicle License (car) - not exd.
3000 lbsYear680.00680.000.000.00Bus Fare - Mesopotamia1-Way3.503.000.5016.67Boat Fare - Bequia1-Way25.0025.000.000.00Parking fees1 Hour2.502.500.000.00Airfare - SVG to Barbados1-Way501.54385.87115.6729.98COMMUNICATIONFixed Line Domestic Rate - peak1 Minute0.080.080.000.00Telephone - Consumption Charge226 Units18.0818.080.000.00Mobile to Mobile - domestic (off network)1 Minute0.990.990.000.00Internet1 month120.00120.000.000.00Cable TV charges (basic)1 month69.0069.000.000.00RECREATION AND CULTURETelevision 43 " (smart TV)Each1,381.481,460.70-79.22-5.42Tablet - 10.1"Each596.43546.4549.989.15Laptop Computer - 8 GBEach1,762.251,240.88521.3742.02Dog Food (Canned)375 g Tin13.1410.552.5924.55Carnival costume and Band Fees (Adult)Each500.00400.00100.0025.00Mathematics textbookEach88.4286.551.872.16NewspapersEach1.501.500.000.00 Table 2.3Average Retail Price of Selected Items May 2023 Compared With May 2022AverageEC$7 UnitChangePercentageItemsofinChangeQuantityMay May Pricein20232022PriceEDUCATIONPre-Primary - PrivateMonth312.50275.0037.5013.64Primary School Fee - PrivateTerm1350.001316.6733.332.53Secondary School Fee - PrivateTerm150.00150.000.000.00Tertiary Education Tuition - undergraduate, social sciencesAnnual 8140.808140.800.000.00Private tutor Per Session20.0020.000.000.00HOTELS AND RESTAURANTSPizza, pepperoniEach21.7517.754.0022.54Chicken Lunch - regularEach15.0015.000.000.00Fish Lunch - regularEach20.0020.000.000.00Fast Food - 2 Pc Chicken and FriesEach21.8521.850.000.00Roti - BeefEach12.4913.42-0.93-6.93School meals - Bread and ChickenEach3.673.83-0.16-4.18MISCELLANEOUS GOODSAND SERVICESWomen's Hairdressing ( Relaxer )Visit72.4669.822.643.78Men's Haircut, Regular Visit15.0010.005.0050.00Disposable diapers, Medium, 22pcs1 pack23.7020.213.4917.27Toothpaste170g Tube13.3212.390.937.51Roll -on75ml bottle8.157.740.415.30Sanitary napkins, regular, with wings10 per pack8.505.752.7547.83Toilet Soap110g4.343.600.7420.56Elderly care ServicesMonth1800.001800.000.000.00Day care services (children < 2 years)
 Month275.00275.000.000.00Health Insurance - Group (family) ≥3 PersonsMonth307.00307.000.000.00Motor Vehicle Insurance - 3rd partyAnnual459.28432.6226.666.16 Table 2.4Average Retail Price of Selected Items May 2023 Compared With May 2022AverageEC$8 GroupsWeightAprilMayMay202320232022 Month YearAprilMay01.Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages21.91145.1145.5131.80.310.402.Alcoholic Beverages, Tobacco & Narcotics3.87134.1134.0129.2-0.13.703.Clothing and Footwear3.22106.9106.7105.5-0.21.104.Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas and other Fuels30.06110.4109.1108.3-1.20.705.Furnishings, Household Equipment and Household Maintenance6.59127.5130.6116.02.412.606.Health1.79123.4123.0120.8-0.31.807.Transport11.84134.1139.6131.74.16.008.Communication9.41112.1112.1112.00.00.109.Recreation and Culture3.81115.8119.3110.13.08.410.Education1.32113.1113.1108.90.03.911.Hotels and Restaurants1.87136.3134.9127.8-1.05.612.Miscellaneous Goods and Services4.31115.3115.4108.40.16.5ALL ITEMS 100.00123.0123.6118.00.54.7Table 3The Consumer Price Index by Main GroupsJanuary 2010 = 100Percentage Change Over Previous:9 10-2.0-1.00.01.02.03.04.05.0Food and Non-Alcoholic BeveragesAlcoholic Beverages, Tobacco & NarcoticsClothing and FootwearHousing, Water, Electricity, Gas and other FuelsFurnishings, Household Equipment and HouseholdMaintenanceHealthTransportCommunicationRecreation and CultureEducationHotels and RestaurantsMiscellaneous Goods and Services0.3-0.1-0.2-1.22.4-0.34.10.03.00.0-1.00.1% PercentCOICOP GroupsChart 1.
COICOP Groups Percentage Change for May 2023 Contribution to Change Change in% ContributionGroupsWeightAprilMayPercentageAprilMayCostto 20232023Change20232023WeightChange1.Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages21.91145.1145.50.33,179.143,187.918.814.62.Alcoholic Beverages, Tobacco & Narcotics3.87134.1134.0-0.1518.97518.58-0.4-0.63.Clothing and Footwear3.22106.9106.7-0.2344.22343.57-0.6-1.14.Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas and other30.06110.4109.1-1.23,318.623,279.55-39.1-65.1Fuels5.Furnishings, Household Equipment and 6.59127.5130.62.4840.23860.6520.434.0Household Maintenance6.Health1.79123.4123.0-0.3220.89220.17-0.7-1.27.Transport11.84134.1139.64.11,587.741,652.8665.1108.58.Communication9.41112.1112.10.01,054.861,054.860.00.09.Recreation and Culture3.81115.8119.33.0441.20454.5313.322.210.Education1.32113.1113.10.0149.29149.290.00.011.Hotels and Restaurants1.87136.3134.9-1.0254.88252.26-2.6-4.412.Miscellaneous Goods and Services4.31115.3115.40.1496.94497.370.40.7ALL ITEMS 100.00123.0123.60.512,300.0012,360.0060.0100.0Table 4The Consumer Price Index by Main GroupsJanuary 2010 = 100Cost Weight11 GroupsAllFood AlcoholicClothingHousingFurnishingsHealthTransportCommuni-RecreationEducationHotelsMiscell-Items&Beverages&WaterHouseholdcation&&aneousNon-TobaccoFootwearElectricityEquipmentCultureRestaurantsGoodsAlcoholic& NarcoticsGas and&and BeveragesFuelsHouseholdServicesMaintenance WEIGHT100.0021.913.873.2230.066.591.7911.849.413.811.321.874.31 MONTHJanuary121.4142.9130.8104.5106.9125.7121.3140.5112.0112.1111.9131.9110.6February121.5143.7132.3104.6106.7126.0124.9136.4112.0114.0111.9133.1111.4March121.8144.2132.9105.1107.6125.3125.3135.9111.8114.6113.1134.3111.5April123.0145.1134.1106.9110.4127.5123.4134.1112.1115.8113.1136.3115.3May123.6145.5134.0106.7109.1130.6123.0139.6112.1119.3113.1134.9115.4TABLE 5Monthly Index - 2023January 2010 = 10012