Consumer price indices - inflation - September 2011

Consumer prices decreased in September by 0.2 %, month-on-month. This drop came primarily from a price fall in seasonal recreational stays in 'recreation and culture'. The year-on-year growth of consumer prices accelerated moderately to 1.8 % in September (1.7 % in August).
The month-on-month consumer price decrease by 0.2 % owed primarily to a fall in prices of package holidays by 13.3 % (similarly as in the previous years) due to the end of summer season. In 'transport', prices of automotive fuel were lower by 0.2 %. In food, prices of cooking oils decreased primarily by 2.6 %, apples by 6.0 %, stone fruit and berries by 8.6 %, potatoes by 5.5 %, other vegetables (root vegetable and cabbages) by 9.8 %.

The rise in the price level was influenced primarily by a rise in prices of clothing and footwear (1.7 % and 3.6 %, respectively). In 'food and non-alcoholic beverages', prices of bread were mainly higher by 1.6 %, eggs by 9.9 %, citrus fruit by 7.0 %, vegetables cultivated for their fruit by 17.6 %, jams by 4.4 % and non-alcoholic beverages by 1.0 %. As the new school year started, fees in kindergartens increased particularly by 4.1 %, in after school care centres by 5.9 %, tuition at private high schools by 1.5 %, tuition at colleges and universities by 2.4 %. Similarly in 'restaurants and hotels', prices of canteen meals in kindergartens rose by 3.5 %, in school canteens by 2.6 % and accommodation in boarding schools by 2.1 %.

Prices of goods in total increased by 0.2 %, while prices of services dropped by 0.7 %.

In terms of the year-on-year comparison, in September, the increase in consumer prices was 1.8 %, i.e. 0.1 percentage points up on August. This development was influenced particularly by an acceleration of 'food and non-alcoholic beverages', 'transport', 'restaurants and hotels'. In 'food and non-alcoholic beverages', the rise in prices of rolls and baguettes accelerated primarily to 39.0 % (from 33.7 % in August), sugar to 33.7 % (from 27.3 % in August) and non-alcoholic beverages to 9.5 % (from 8.8 % in August). In fruit, the drop in prices slowed down to 6.4 % in September (from 7.3 % in August). In 'transport', the rise in prices of automotive fuel accelerated to 10.7 % in September, year-on-year (from 9.9 % in August). Prices of transport services went up by 2.1 % (1.7 % in August). In public catering, prices in company canteens were higher by 4.2 % (3.1 % in August), in school canteens by 3.2 % (0.8 % in August) and in kindergartens by 3.7 % (0.5 % in August).

The highest upward effect on the consumer price level came from prices in 'food and non-alcoholic beverages' and 'housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels'. Prices of bread were higher by 26.3 %, flour by 32.1 %, milk by 11.4 %, cooking oils by 19.1 %, cocoa by 14.7 %, coffee by 25.5 %. In 'housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels', prices of natural gas increased by 11.5 %, electricity by 4.8 %, water supply by 6.2 %, sewerage collection by 5.8 %, heat and hot water by 1.6 %. The net actual rentals increased by 3.3 %, of which for dwellings with regulated rentals rose by 9.0 % and for dwellings with market rentals by 0.8 %.

Prices in 'clothing and footwear' were lower than in the previous year due to a drop in prices of clothing (-1.9 %). The year-on-year fall in prices of household appliances continued (-5.2 %). In 'communications', prices of mobile phones decreased (-9.6 %). In 'recreation and culture', prices of audio-visual, photographic and information processing equipment were lower (-12.1 %). Prices of package holidays were lower (-1.0 %) than in September 2010.

Prices of goods in total increased by 2.3 % and prices of services rose by 1.1 %. The overall consumer price index excluding imputed rentals was 102.0 %, year-on-year.

Average inflation rate, i.e. the increase in the average consumer price index in the twelve months to September 2011 compared with the average CPI in the previous twelve months, stood at 1.8 % in September.

According to preliminary data of Eurostat, the year-on-year increase in the average harmonized index of consumer prices (HICP) in the EU 27 member states was 2.9 % in August 2011 (the same as in July). The highest annual rates were observed in Estonia (5.6 %) and the lowest in Ireland (1.0 %). In Germany, the y-o-y growth decelerated to 2.5 % (2.6 % in July). In Slovakia, the increase in the HICP accelerated to 4.1 % (3.8 % in July). According to preliminary calculations, the HICP in the Czech Republic in September 2011 decreased by 0.2 %, month-on-month, and went up by 2.1 % (the same as in August), year-on-year. The MUICP (Monetary Union Index of Consumer Prices) flash estimate for the Eurozone in August 2011 was 3.0 %, y-o-y, as Eurostat announced (more information on the Eurostat's web pages: HICP) .

Analysis - Consumer price indices in Q3 2011

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Notes
Responsible manager of the CZSO: Jiri Mrazek, Department Director
Contact: Pavla Sediva, phone (+420) 274052138, e-mail: pavla.sediva@csu.gov.cz
Method of data collection: Direct field survey of prices, centrally surveyed prices and reporting
End of data collection: 20th day of the reference month
End of data processing: 3rd day of the month that follows the reference month
Related publications: 7101-11 Consumer Price Indices – Basic Breakdown (periodicity: monthly)
7103-11 Consumer Price Indices – Detailed Breakdown (periodicity: annually)
Documents available on the CZSO website: 710344-11 Consumer Price Indices – Detailed Breakdown (periodicity: monthly) ( /2-ep-7 )
Next News Release: 9 November 2011
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