Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1698831197051.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.7 July 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 July 2023 compared With July 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 July 2023 10 * * * 1 July 2023 The consumer price index recorded an increase of 0.3 percent for the month of July 2023, compared to 1.1 percent increase for the month of June 2023 (See table 3).

During the month of July 2023, the “All Items” index was recorded at 125.4 compared to 125.0 for the month of June 2023.
Seven (7) groups recorded increases during the month, namely; “Transport” (3.5%), “Clothing and Footwear” (0.9%), “Food and Non Alcoholic Beverages” (0.7%), “Alcoholic, Beverages, Tobacco and Narcotics” (0.4%), “Recreation and Culture” (0.3%), “Miscellaneous Goods and Services” (0.3%) and “Furnishings, Household Equipment and Household Maintenance” (0.2%).

Two (2) groups recorded a decrease; “Health” (1.9%) and “Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas and Other Fuels” (1.7%).
Three (3) group remained unchanged; “Communication”, “Education” and “Hotels and Restaurants”, (See table 3).

The 3.5 percent increase in the “Transport” index was as a result of an increase the prices for maintenance services for motor vehicles.

This includes engine oil change (66.7%), spark plugs replacement (50.0%), wheel alignment (33.3%) and transmission oil change (25.0%).

Also, there was an increase in the passenger airfare from St Vincent and the Grenadines to New York (62.9%).
The group index for “Clothing and Footwear” increased by 0.9 percent due mainly to an increase in the price of panties (66.7%), men's dress shoes (25.6%) and belts (25.0%).
The 0.7 percent increase in the index for “Food and Non Alcoholic Beverages” is due to an increase in the price of several food items which includes; pumpkin (66.9%), imported tomatoes (39.9%), red apples (27.0%), flaked tuna (19.1%), loose curry (13.0%), English 2 potatoes (10.9%), spaghetti (7.4%), peanuts (7.3%), smoke herring (6.2%), mutton (6.1%), condensed milk (4.4%), loose rice (3.4%) and chicken wings (1.6%).
“Alcoholic Beverages, Tobacco and Narcotics” increased by 0.4 percent due to higher prices for port wine (7.6%), red wine (4.7%), cigarette (1.8%) and a whiskey (1.6%).

Higher prices for cat food (12.9%), a language arts textbook (8.7%), dog food (7.0%) and a mathematics textbook (4.2%) were responsible for the 0.3 percent increase in the group index for “Recreation and Culture”.
Similarly, “Miscellaneous Goods and Services” increase by 0.3 percent as a result of increases in the prices for toothpaste (58.8%) and mouthwash (10.1%).

“Furnishings, Household Equipment and Household Maintenance” grew by 0.2 percent.

This was due to an increase in the price for bleach (41.7%), mattress (15.7%) and dishwashing liquid (2.2%).
The 1.9 percent decline in the index for “Health” was attributed to lower prices for pain killers (35.5%), drugs for hypertension (8.7%) and a blood pressure monitor (1.4%).

The “Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas and Other Fuels” group index recorded a decrease of 1.7 percent due mainly to a decrease in the price of electricity (9.5%).
This lower cost for electricity resulted from a fall in the fuel surcharge rate which moved from 65.78 cents per kilowatt hour for June 2023 to 54.77 cents per kilowatt hour for July 2023.

3 The point-to-point inflation rate stood at 4.7 percent for the month of July 2023 compared to 6.1 percent for July 2022.
The groups that accounted for the largest increases during the period were, “Food and Non Alcoholic Beverages” (11.7%), “Furnishings, Household Equipment and Household Maintenance” (10.9%), “Transport” (8.5%), “Recreation and Culture” (7.8%), “Miscellaneous Goods and Services" (6.8%), and “Hotels and Restaurants” (5.9%), (See table 3).

The consumer price index increased by 0.3 percent for July 2023.
The point-to-point inflation rate stood at 4.7 due to relative price changes during the month of July 2023 compared with the same period in the previous year.
Unit Average Price ChangePercentageItemsof EC$in ChangeQuantityJulyJunePricein20232023PriceINCREASEDRice, loose1lb2.132.060.073.4Pasta, spaghetti400g, Pk4.374.070.307.4Mutton, fresh 1lb19.2218.111.116.1Chicken, wings 1lb6.186.080.101.6Smoke herring 1lb5.284.970.316.2Condensed milk 397g, Tin 5.455.220.234.4Flaked tuna142g, Tin4.804.030.7719.1Red apples 1lb8.476.671.8027.0Peanuts340g, Tin17.4516.271.187.3Tomatoes, imported1lb9.957.112.8439.9Pumpkin, local1lb5.693.412.2866.9English potatoes1lb3.252.930.3210.9Curry, loose 1lb14.8913.181.7113.0Whiskey750ml, Bottle154.52152.132.391.6Port wine750ml, Bottle30.5528.402.157.6Red wine750ml, Bottle35.5733.981.594.7Cigarettes10 Pkt3.883.810.071.8PantiesEach5.003.002.0066.7BeltsEach15.0012.003.0025.0Men's dress shoes Pair 139.00110.6728.3325.6MattressEach899.00777.20121.8015.7Bleach64floz, Bottle17.1012.075.0341.7Dishwashing liquid 750ml, Bottle11.7011.450.252.2Oil change, engine oil Service50.0030.0020.0066.7Oil change, transmission oilService50.0040.0010.0025.0Spark plugs replacement Service150.00100.0050.0050.0Wheel alignment, small vehiclesService40.0030.0010.0033.3Passenger airfare from St. Vincent and the Grenadines to:New York, U.S.A1 month3691.322265.961425.3662.9Dog food17 lb, Pk129.72121.218.517.0Cat food 156g, Tin5.624.980.6412.9Language Arts Textbook Each43.2739.823.458.7Mathematics Textbook Each41.8040.121.684.2Toothpaste70g, Tube10.976.914.0658.8Mouthwash 1L, Bottle 17.4015.801.6010.1DECREASEDHypertensive drugs28 Tablets5.486.00-0.52-8.7Pain killers20 Tablets 4.476.93-2.46-35.5Blood pressure monitor Each230.00233.37-3.37-1.4Electricity consumption150 kWh157.16173.67-16.51-9.5Table 1Average Retail Price of Selected Items4 UnitChangePercentageItemsofinChangeQuantityJulyJulyPricein20232022PriceFOOD AND NON-ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGESRice - Loose1lb1.952.13-0.18-8.45Rice - Packaged2kg9.739.77-0.04-0.41Flour - Loose1 lb1.921.770.158.47Flour - Packaged ( white)2kg9.168.260.9010.90Flour - Packaged ( wholewheat)2kg9.628.710.9110.45Cornflakes 510g Box15.5913.092.5019.10Bread -
 Large Sandwich Loaf (white)Each5.424.840.5811.98Bread- Small Loaf, white5 pk2.912.740.176.20Bread - Large Sandwich Loaf (whole wheat)Each6.035.590.447.87Crix - salted crackers, White288g (3 pk)6.536.040.498.11Pasta - Elbows340 g5.384.850.5310.93Beef - Fresh1 lb10.0010.000.000.00Pigtail - salted1 lb12.7312.140.594.86Chicken - Leg Quarters1 lb3.713.680.030.82Chicken - Backs1 lb2.682.250.4319.11Chicken - Wings1 lb5.004.630.377.99Turkey Wings1 lb6.185.740.447.67Luncheon Meat (pork)340 g9.018.750.262.97Corned beef340g9.999.620.373.85Fish - 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 lb16.1415.620.523.33Sardine in soya oil106g Tin5.415.030.387.55Milk - Evaporated410g Tin4.173.420.7521.93Powdered milk - full cream1 lb8.528.000.526.50Eggs1 Doz12.3110.162.1521.16Margarine445g Tub13.1511.331.8216.06Soya bean oil 1Litre17.5117.210.301.74Coconut oil750ml Bottle36.9232.544.3813.46Bananas (ripe)1 lb1.591.590.000.00Limes1 lb4.814.640.173.66Tomatoes1 lb6.085.840.244.11Sweet Potatoes1 lb4.724.720.000.00Yams1 lb4.242.721.5255.88Sugar - Brown ( loose)1 lb2.271.930.3417.62Sugar - White ( loose)1 lb2.622.470.156.07Ice cream1 Litre Tub18.0618.55-0.49-2.64Tomato Ketchup750ml Bottle9.527.062.4634.84Orange Juice1 Litre box5.955.950.000.00Vitamalt310 ml Bottle9.457.591.8624.51 Table 2.1Average Retail Price of Selected Items July 2023 Compared With July 2022AverageEC$5 UnitChangePercentageItemsofinChangeQuantityJulyJulyPricein20232022PriceALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES, TOBACCO & NARCOTICSRum - Local (White)750 ml Bot.45.7438.527.2218.74Beer - Local 280 ml Bot.4.954.820.132.70Cigarettes Pkt.
(10)3.883.600.287.78Table wine (local)26 oz Bot.30.5526.274.2816.29Vodka750ml Bot.51.9250.741.182.33CLOTHING & FOOTWEARTextile material - Cotton 1Yd.14.0911.352.7424.14Textile material - Tetrex 1Yd.12.4412.440.000.00Men's Shirts - Long SleeveEach75.9875.980.000.00Men's Jeans ( long)Pair68.9869.95-0.97-1.39Men's Shoes -FormalPair127.62134.50-6.88-5.12Women's Shoes - Formal Pair73.1973.28-0.09-0.12Women's Blouse Each36.8440.97-4.13-10.08School shirt - white, size 10Each16.2016.200.000.00School overal , navy blue, size 8Each49.8248.950.871.78HOUSING, 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 KWH318.31371.77-53.46-14.38Cooking Gas20 Lb.
Cyl.45.7645.760.000.00FURNISHING, HOUSEHOLD EQUIPMENT AND HOUSEHOLDMAINTENANCEBed - queen sizeEach2,866.502,537.72328.7812.96Sheets - queen size, 300 thread count, 100% cottonEach195.95169.9526.0015.30Dinner forksEach6.954.952.0040.40Powder detergent500g Pk5.324.920.408.13Toilet tissue, 280 sheets per roll1 Roll1.531.56-0.03-1.92 Table 2.2Average Retail Price of Selected Items July 2023 Compared With July 2022AverageEC$6 UnitChangePercentageItemsofinChangeQuantityJulyJulyPricein20232022PriceHEALTHDoctor's Fee - GynaecologistVisit80.0080.000.000.00Doctor's Fee - General PractitionerVisit60.0060.000.000.00Blood test - CBCTest27.3927.390.000.00Drugs for Hypertension Month supply6.595.730.8615.01Drug for Diabetes Month supply5.255.250.000.00Dental CareVisit149.47143.565.914.12TRANSPORT Petrol - UnleadedGallon15.6816.41-0.73-4.45Vehicle 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-Way523.27385.87137.4035.61COMMUNICATIONFixed 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 month122.86120.002.862.38Cable 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"Each546.45546.450.000.00Laptop Computer - 8 GBEach1,712.391,240.88471.5138.00Dog Food (Canned)375 g Tin13.2410.822.4222.37Carnival costume and Band Fees (Adult)Each500.00400.00100.0025.00Mathematics textbookEach88.1786.551.621.87NewspapersEach1.501.500.000.00 Table 2.3Average Retail Price of Selected Items July 2023 Compared With July 2022AverageEC$7 UnitChangePercentageItemsofinChangeQuantityJuly JulyPricein20232022PriceEDUCATIONPre-Primary - PrivateMonth312.50275.0037.5013.64Primary School Fee - PrivateTerm1350.001350.000.000.00Secondary School Fee - PrivateTerm150.00150.000.000.00Tertiary Education Tuition - undergraduate, social sciencesAnnual 8140.008140.000.000.00Private 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 - BeefEach12.4912.000.494.08School meals - Bread and ChickenEach4.003.830.174.44MISCELLANEOUS GOODSAND SERVICESWomen's Hairdressing ( Relaxer )Visit72.4672.460.000.00Men's Haircut, Regular Visit15.0010.005.0050.00Disposable diapers, Medium, 22pcs1 pack23.7020.213.4917.27Toothpaste170g Tube13.6512.720.937.31Roll -on75ml bottle8.158.150.000.00Sanitary 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 July 2023 Compared With July 2022AverageEC$8 GroupsWeightJuneJulyJuly202320232022 Month YearJuneJuly01.Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages21.91148.6149.7134.00.711.702.Alcoholic Beverages, Tobacco & Narcotics3.87134.3134.8131.10.42.803.Clothing and Footwear3.22106.8107.8105.50.92.204.Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas and other Fuels30.06109.9108.0110.8-1.7-2.505.Furnishings, Household Equipment and Household Maintenance6.59129.9130.1117.30.210.906.Health1.79123.4121.0121.8-1.9-0.707.Transport11.84142.4147.4135.83.58.508.Communication9.41112.7112.7112.00.00.609.Recreation and Culture3.81118.4118.8110.20.37.810.Education1.32113.1113.1108.90.03.911.Hotels and Restaurants1.87135.3135.3127.80.05.912.Miscellaneous Goods and Services4.31115.5115.9108.50.36.8ALL ITEMS 100.00125.0125.4119.80.34.7Table 3The Consumer Price Index by Main GroupsJanuary 2010 = 100Percentage Change Over Previous:9 10-2.0-1.00.01.02.03.04.0Food 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 Services0.70.40.9-1.70.2-1.93.50.00.30.00.00.3% PercentCOICOP GroupsChart 1.
COICOP Groups Percentage Change for July 2023 Contribution to Change Change in% ContributionGroupsWeightJuneJulyPercentageJuneJulyCostto 20232023Change20232023WeightChange1.Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages21.91148.6149.70.73,255.833,279.9324.160.32.Alcoholic Beverages, Tobacco & Narcotics3.87134.3134.80.4519.74521.681.94.83.Clothing and Footwear3.22106.8107.80.9343.90347.123.28.04.Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas and other30.06109.9108.0-1.73,303.593,246.48-57.1-142.8Fuels5.Furnishings, Household Equipment and 6.59129.9130.10.2856.04857.361.33.3Household Maintenance6.Health1.79123.4121.0-1.9220.89216.59-4.3-10.77.Transport11.84142.4147.43.51,686.021,745.2259.2148.08.Communication9.41112.7112.70.01,060.511,060.510.00.09.Recreation and Culture3.81118.4118.80.3451.10452.631.53.810.Education1.32113.1113.10.0149.29149.290.00.011.Hotels and Restaurants1.87135.3135.30.0253.01253.010.00.012.Miscellaneous Goods and Services4.31115.5115.90.3497.81499.531.74.3ALL ITEMS 100.00125.0125.40.312,500.0012,540.0040.0100.0Table 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 MONTHJanuary121.4142.9130.8104.5106.9125.7121.3140.5112.0112.1111.9131.9110.6February121.5143.7132.3104.6106.7126.0124.9136.4112.0114.0111.9133.1111.4March121.8144.2132.9105.1107.6125.3125.3135.9111.8114.6113.1134.3111.5April123.0145.1134.1106.9110.4127.5123.4134.1112.1115.8113.1136.3115.3May123.6145.5134.0106.7109.1130.6123.0139.6112.1119.3113.1134.9115.4June125.0148.6134.3106.8109.9129.9123.4142.4112.7118.4113.1135.3115.5July125.4149.7134.8107.8108.0130.1121.0147.4112.7118.8113.1135.3115.9TABLE 5Monthly Index - 2023January 2010 = 10012