Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1698831085620.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.3 March 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 March 2023 compared With March 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 March 2023 10 * * * 1 MARCH 2023 The consumer price index recorded an increase of 0.2 percent for the month of March 2023, compared to 0.1 percent increase for the month of February 2023 (see table 3).

During the month of March 2023, the “All Items” index was recorded at 121.8 compared to 121.5 for the month of February 2023.
Nine (9) groups recorded increases during the month namely, “Education" (1.1%), “Hotels and Restaurants” (0.9%), “Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas and Other Fuels” (0.8%), “Alcohol Beverages, Tobacco & Narcotics” (0.5%), “Clothing and Footwear” (0.5%), “Recreation and Culture” (0.5%), “Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages” (0.3%), “Health” (0.3), and “Miscellaneous Goods and Services” (0.1%).
Three groups recorded a decrease; “Furnishings, Household Equipment and Household Maintenance” (0.6%), “Transport” (0.4%) and “Communication” (0.2%).

(See table 3).

The index for “Education” grew by 1.1 percent mainly due to an increase in the price of pre-primary school fees (9.4%).

The “Hotels and Restaurants” index grew by 0.9 percent due to a 25.0 percent increase in the price of a large chicken and fries meal.
The group index for “Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas and Other Fuels” rose by 0.8 percent.

This is attributable to a 5.0 percent increase in the price of electricity.

This higher cost for electricity resulted from a rise in the fuel surcharge rate which moved from 47.57 cents per kilowatt hour for the month of February 2023 to 52.45 cents per kilowatt hour for March 2023.

The 0.5 percent increase in the index for “Alcoholic Beverages, Tobacco and Narcotics” was on account of higher prices for local rum.
Red rum increased by 4.1 percent while white rum grew by 4.0 percent.

2 “Clothing and Footwear” grew by 0.5 percent as a result of increases in the prices for men’s Polo shirts (24.5%), T-shirts (11.3%) and long sleeve shirts (11.1%).

The index for “Recreation and Culture” registered a 0.5 percent growth.

This was on account of higher prices for a laptop (26.5%) and a 50” television (13.0%).
The 0.3 percent increase in the group index for “Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages” was fuelled mainly by higher prices for several food items including: condensed milk (44.4%), paw paw (33.3%), local cabbage (27.0%), imported cabbage (26.6%), jacks (25.0%), green bananas (22.2%), soya bean oil (20.1%), turkey wings (11.1%), and pumpkin (10.2%) Similarly, the “Health” index rose by 0.3 percent.

This was due to a 17.3% increase in the price of a pain relieving drug.
“Miscellaneous Goods and Services” increased by 0.1 percent mainly as a result of an increase in the price of sanitary napkins with wings (10.9%).

Meanwhile, the group index for “Furnishings, Household Equipment and Household Maintenance” decreased by 0.6 percent due to a decline in the price of a roll of toilet paper (12.0%).
The 0.4 percent decline in the “Transport” index was mainly on account of a decrease in passenger airfare from St Vincent and the Grenadines to several destinations: Miami (21.5%), Trinidad (17.7%), London (13.1%) and Barbados (10.2%).

A reduction in the price for a cell phone (12.4%) accounted for the 0.2 percent decline in the “Communication” index.

3 The point-to-point inflation rate stood at 5.5 percent for the month of March 2023 compared to 3.6 percent for March 2022.
The groups that accounted for the largest increases during the period were, “Hotels and Restaurants” (15.2%), “Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages” (12.9%), “Furnishings, Household Equipment and Household Maintenance” (9.5%) and “Transport" (6.5%) (See table 3).

The consumer price index increased by 0.2 percent for March 2023.

The point-to-point inflation rate stood at 5.5 due to relative price changes during the month of March 2023 compared with the same period in the previous year.
Unit Average Price ChangePercentageItemsof EC$in ChangeQuantityMarchFebruaryPricein20232023PriceINCREASEDTurkey wingsLb5.414.870.5411.1Fish - Fresh (Deep Sea)Lb12.9312.000.937.8Fish - Fresh (Jacks)Lb5.004.001.0025.0Condensed milk397g Tin5.954.121.8344.4Soya bean oil 1 Litre Bottle19.4416.183.2620.1Green bananasLb1.761.440.3222.2Paw pawLb2.281.710.5733.3Cabbage, importedLb5.804.581.2226.6Cabbage, localLb5.043.971.0727.0PumpkinLb3.353.040.3110.2Coffee200g48.1544.004.159.4Rum - Local (White)750ml Bottle43.6441.951.694.0Rum - Local (Red)750ml Bottle37.9936.481.514.1Polo shirtsEach55.9544.9511.0024.5T-shirtsEach24.0621.612.4511.3Long sleeve shirtEach72.2465.007.2411.1Electricity, Domestic Consumption150Kwh153.68146.367.325.0Pain reliever, 325mg100 Tablets10.508.951.5517.3Television, 50"Each1886.121668.65217.4713.0Laptop, 8 GBEach1597.211262.19335.0226.5Pre-Primary school feesMonth350.00320.0030.009.4Chicken and Fries, LargeEach15.0012.003.0025.0Sanitary napkins with wings18 Pcs per pack15.9514.381.5710.9DECREASEDRock cakesEach1.091.29-0.20-15.5Ripe Plantains Lb1.872.15-0.28-13.0Red seedless grapeLb13.9416.01-2.07-12.9Pineapple, importedLb4.184.85-0.67-13.8Tomatoes importedLb7.9915.49-7.50-48.4Carrots, localLb3.003.58-0.58-16.2Brandy1Litre Bottle200.00258.61-58.61-22.7Men's SuitEach200.00295.00-95.00-32.2Men's Jacket Each131.69160.00-28.31-17.7Toilet Paper280 sheets1.621.84-0.22-12.0Cell phone 8GBEach1780.152032.12-251.97-12.4Passenger airfares from St. Vincent and the Grenadines to:Miami Month2566.713269.45-702.74-21.5LondonMonth3237.403723.30-485.90-13.1BarbadosOne way501.54558.59-57.05-10.2Triindad and TobagoOne way419.49509.96-90.47-17.7Table 1Average Retail Price of Selected Items4 UnitChangePercentageItemsofinChangeQuantityMarch March Pricein20232022PriceFOOD AND NON-ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGESRice - Loose1lb1.991.940.052.58Rice - Packaged2kg9.779.770.000.00Flour - Loose1 lb1.911.430.4833.57Flour - Packaged ( white)2kg9.136.942.1931.56Flour - Packaged ( wholewheat)2kg9.717.182.5335.24Cornflakes 510g
 Box15.0612.192.8723.54Bread - Large Sandwich Loaf (white)Each5.144.190.9522.67Bread- Small Loaf, white5 pk2.912.380.5322.27Bread - Large Sandwich Loaf (whole wheat)Each6.145.590.559.84Crix - salted crackers, White288g (3 pk)6.515.870.6410.90Pasta - Elbows340 g5.275.100.173.33Beef - Fresh1 lb10.0010.000.000.00Pigtail - salted1 lb12.1010.221.8818.40Chicken - Leg Quarters1 lb3.643.290.3510.64Chicken - Backs1 lb2.732.230.5022.42Chicken - Wings1 lb5.744.850.8918.35Turkey Wings1 lb5.414.271.1426.70Luncheon Meat (pork)340 g9.109.010.091.00Corned beef340g10.139.170.9610.47Fish - Fresh (Deep Sea)1 lb12.939.003.9343.67Fish - Fresh (Jacks)1 lb5.005.000.000.00Fish - Fresh (Robin)1 lb5.005.000.000.00Codfish1 lb15.2615.010.251.67Sardine in soya oil106g Tin5.124.800.326.67Milk - Evaporated410g Tin3.933.170.7623.97Powdered milk - full cream1 lb8.557.940.617.68Eggs1 Doz11.6610.361.3012.55Margarine445g Tub13.1810.832.3521.70Soya bean oil 1Litre17.4915.621.8711.97Coconut oil750ml Bottle33.2029.313.8913.27Bananas (ripe)1 lb1.741.690.052.96Limes1 lb4.165.00-0.84-16.80Tomatoes1 lb7.046.320.7211.39Sweet Potatoes1 lb2.963.01-0.05-1.66Yams1 lb3.434.23-0.80-18.91Sugar - Brown ( loose)1 lb2.551.780.7743.26Sugar - White ( loose)1 lb2.682.390.2912.13Ice cream1 Litre Tub18.0616.871.197.05Tomato Ketchup750ml Bottle9.536.982.5536.53Orange Juice1 Litre box8.267.041.2217.33Vitamalt310 ml Bottle5.955.780.172.94 Table 2.1Average Retail Price of Selected Items March 2023 Compared With March 2022AverageEC$5 UnitChangePercentageItemsofinChangeQuantityMarch March Pricein20232022PriceALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES, TOBACCO & NARCOTICSRum - Local (White)750 ml Bot.43.6438.525.1213.29Beer - Local 280 ml Bot.4.904.99-0.09-1.80Cigarettes Pkt.
(10)3.713.380.339.76Table wine (local)26 oz Bot.28.4125.652.7610.76Vodka750ml Bot.51.4250.031.392.78CLOTHING & FOOTWEARTextile material - Cotton 1Yd.14.0913.730.362.62Textile material - Tetrex 1Yd.11.3510.440.918.72Men's Shirts - Long SleeveEach79.6075.983.624.76Men's Jeans ( long)Pair64.6269.98-5.36-7.66Men's Shoes -FormalPair113.46134.50-21.04-15.64Women's Shoes - Formal Pair73.1970.502.693.82Women's Blouse Each36.0740.97-4.90-11.96School shirt - white, size 10Each15.4116.45-1.04-6.32School 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 KWH311.35304.147.212.37Cooking Gas20 Lb.
Cyl.45.7643.901.864.24FURNISHING, HOUSEHOLD EQUIPMENT AND HOUSEHOLDMAINTENANCEBed - queen sizeEach2,737.722,537.72200.007.88Sheets - queen size, 300 thread count, 100% cottonEach194.95169.9525.0014.71Dinner forksEach3.974.95-0.98-19.80Powder detergent500g Pk5.504.800.7014.58Toilet tissue, 280 sheets per roll1 Roll1.651.520.138.55 Table 2.2Average Retail Price of Selected Items March 2023 Compared With March 2022AverageEC$6 UnitChangePercentageItemsofinChangeQuantityMarch March 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 supply6.956.710.243.58Drug for Diabetes Month supply6.494.991.5030.06Dental CareVisit146.21143.562.651.85TRANSPORT Petrol - UnleadedGallon15.0614.180.886.21Vehicle 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 Minute0.080.08Telephone - 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"Each446.48546.45-99.97-18.29Laptop Computer - 8 GBEach1,597.211,240.88356.3328.72Dog Food (Canned)375 g Tin12.3710.222.1521.04Carnival costume and Band Fees (Adult)Each400.00400.000.000.00Mathematics textbookEach88.4286.551.872.16NewspapersEach1.501.500.000.00 Table 2.3Average Retail Price of Selected Items March 2023 Compared With March 2022AverageEC$7 UnitChangePercentageItemsofinChangeQuantityMarch March Pricein20232022PriceEDUCATIONPre-Primary - PrivateMonth297.50275.0022.508.18Primary School Fee - PrivateTerm1350.001233.33116.679.46Secondary 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, pepperoniEach19.5017.751.759.86Chicken Lunch - regularEach15.0012.003.0025.00Fish Lunch - regularEach20.0015.005.0033.33Fast Food - 2 Pc Chicken and FriesEach21.8518.753.1016.53Roti - BeefEach13.9612.001.9616.33School meals - Bread and ChickenEach3.673.83-0.16-4.18MISCELLANEOUS GOODSAND SERVICESWomen's Hairdressing ( Relaxer )Visit72.4669.822.643.78Men's Haircut, Regular Visit10.0010.000.000.00Disposable diapers, Medium, 22pcs1 pack23.7018.944.7625.13Toothpaste170g Tube13.5511.222.3320.77Roll -on75ml bottle8.157.740.415.30Sanitary napkins, regular, with wings10 per pack5.755.750.000.00Toilet Soap110g4.343.640.7019.23Elderly 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 partyAnnual432.62432.620.000.00 Table 2.4Average Retail Price of Selected Items March 2023 Compared With March 2022AverageEC$8 GroupsWeightFebruaryMarchMarch202320232022 Month YearFebruaryMarch01.Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages21.91143.7144.2127.70.312.902.Alcoholic Beverages, Tobacco & Narcotics3.87132.3132.9129.60.52.503.Clothing and Footwear3.22104.6105.1104.70.50.404.Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas and other Fuels30.06106.7107.6105.70.81.805.Furnishings, Household Equipment and Household Maintenance6.59126.0125.3114.4-0.69.506.Health1.79124.9125.3118.00.36.207.Transport11.84136.4135.9127.6-0.46.508.Communication9.41112.0111.8112.0-0.2-0.209.Recreation and Culture3.81114.0114.6110.10.54.110.Education1.32111.9113.1108.91.13.911.Hotels and Restaurants1.87133.1134.3116.60.915.212.Miscellaneous Goods and Services4.31111.4111.5106.90.14.3ALL ITEMS 100.00121.5121.8115.40.25.5Table 3The Consumer Price Index by Main GroupsJanuary 2010 = 100Percentage Change Over Previous:9 10-0.6-0.4-0.20.00.20.40.60.81.01.2Food and Non-Alcoholic BeveragesAlcoholic Beverages, Tobacco & NarcoticsClothing and FootwearHousing, Water, Electricity, Gas and other FuelsFurnishings, Household Equipment andHousehold MaintenanceHealthTransportCommunicationRecreation and CultureEducationHotels and RestaurantsMiscellaneous Goods and Services0.30.50.50.8-0.60.3-0.4-0.20.51.10.90.1% PercentCOICOP GroupsChart 1.
COICOP Groups Percentage Change for March 2023 Contribution to Change Change in% ContributionGroupsWeightFebruaryMarchPercentageFebruaryMarchCostto 20232023Change20232023WeightChange1.Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages21.91143.7144.20.33,148.473,159.4211.036.52.Alcoholic Beverages, Tobacco & Narcotics3.87132.3132.90.5512.00514.322.37.73.Clothing and Footwear3.22104.6105.10.5336.81338.421.65.44.Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas and other30.06106.7107.60.83,207.403,234.4627.190.2Fuels5.Furnishings, Household Equipment and 6.59126.0125.3-0.6830.34825.73-4.6-15.4Household Maintenance6.Health1.79124.9125.30.3223.57224.290.72.47.Transport11.84136.4135.9-0.41,614.981,609.06-5.9-19.78.Communication9.41112.0111.8-0.21,053.921,052.04-1.9-6.39.Recreation and Culture3.81114.0114.60.5434.34436.632.37.610.Education1.32111.9113.11.1147.71149.291.65.311.Hotels and Restaurants1.87133.1134.30.9248.90251.142.27.512.Miscellaneous Goods and Services4.31111.4111.50.1480.13480.570.41.4ALL ITEMS 100.00121.5121.80.212,150.0012,180.0030.0100.0Table 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 MONTHJanuary121.4142.9130.8104.5106.9125.7121.3140.5112.0112.1111.9131.9110.6February121.5143.7132.3104.6106.7126.0124.9136.4112.0114.0111.9133.1111.4March121.8144.2132.9105.1107.6125.3125.3135.9111.8114.6113.1134.3111.5TABLE 5Monthly Index - 2023January 2010 = 10012