The consumer price index for Sint Maarten has decreased in the month of
December 2014 by 0.3 percent compared to that of October 2014.
When comparing average consumer prices over a twelve month period (Dec.
2013 to Dec. 2014), an increase of 1.9 percent was recorded compared to
the same period one year earlier. Inflation has shown an overall decline in
2014 (1.9%) compared to the rate of inflation recorded in 2013 (2.5%).
This is evident from the data that has been released by the Department of
Statistics (STAT) today.
Price changes between October & December 2014
The consumer price index for Sint Maarten has decreased in the month of December 2014 by 0.3 percent compared to that of October 2014. The price index recorded in December 2014 is 126.6.
Expenditure Category WEIGHT INDEX OCTOBER 2014 INDEX DECEMBER 2014 % CHANGE
Food 10%
183.4
184.8
0.8
Beverages and tobacco 1%
145.5
146.2
0.5
Clothing & footwear 7%
114.5
116.9
2.1
Housing 39%
126.3
124.9
-1.1
Household furnishing & appliances 6%
140.7
141.7
0.7
Medical care 3%
111.3
112.7
1.3
Transport & communication 20%
109.0
107.2
-1.7
Recreation & education 6%
108.0
108.1
0.1
Misc. 8%
120.1
120.0
-0.1 TOTAL 100% 127.0 126.6 -0.3
Expenditure Categories – overall moderate increases
In December 2014, six of the nine expenditure categories have become moderately more expensive, whilst three became cheaper. Amongst the more expensive were the categories; 'Food' (+0.8%), 'Beverages and Tobacco' (+0.5%), 'Clothing and Footwear' (+2.1%), 'Household Furnishing & Appliances' (+0.7%), 'Medical Care' (+1.3%) and 'Recreation & Education' (+0.1%). Whereas slight decreases were recorded amongst the expenditure categories; 'Housing' (-1.1%), 'Transport & Communication' (-1.7%), and 'Miscellaneous' (-0.1%).
Within the expenditure category Food, it can be noted that five of the nine food groups became less expensive whilst four became more expensive. The following developments were recorded in each food group; Grain (-0.4%), Meat and Fish (+2.1%), Fats & Oils (-0.3%), Dairy Products (+0.3%), Potatoes, Vegetables & Fruit (+1.4%), Sugar & Chocolate (-1.6%), Pre-cooked dishes (-0.5%), Eating-out (-0.3%) and other food resources (+0.5%).
More specifically the following products largely influenced the total price change within the food groups: The food group 'Meat & Fish', was largely influenced by beef (+19.5%), oxtail (-8.0), Ham (+4.1%), pork meat without bone (+6.8%), Fish (+10.7%) other fish (+5.8%) canned salmon (16.2%). The food group 'Dairy Products' was largely influenced by; cheese (+3.1%), Yoghurt (-7.9%), Ice cream (-9.9%) and eggs (+3.4%).
The food group 'Potatoes, Vegetables & Fruit' was largely influenced by; potatoes (+11.0%), legumes (-46.1%), onions (+8.4%), carrots (+3.5%), other fresh vegetables (-8.1%), dried beans (+8.6%) apples and pears (-7.0%), grapes and prunes (-3.0%), citrus fruit(-7.1%), other citrus fruit (18.2%), plantains (+4.4%) and raisins (+4.0%). The food group Sugar & Chocolate (-1.6%) was largely influenced by; sugar (-4.2%)
1 Please note that the pie chart above depicts the share (weight) each food group carries toward the entire Food expenditure category, whilst the percentages indicate the price change within that food group.
Grain-0.4%
Meat and Fish+2.1%
Fats & Oils-0.3%
Dairy Products +0.3%
Potatoes, Vegetables & Fruits+1.4%
Sugar & Chocolate-1.6%
Pre-cooked dishes-0.5%
Eating-out-0.3%
Other food resources+0.5%
FOOD EXPENDITURE CATEGORY
10% of CPI
4
Housing
Within the expenditure category Housing, it is noted that three of the five product groups became slightly more expensive, whilst one remained stable and one recorded a considerable decrease. The product groups; 'Dwelling costs', 'Garden maintenance' and 'Maintenance of dwelling' increased by 0.4%, 1.8% and 0.2% respectively. Whilst 'Energy expenses' decreased by 7.3 percent. A decrease in the consumer price of electricity by -7.0% and cooking gas by -8.9% influenced the total price change within this product group.
2 Please note that the pie chart above depicts the share (weight) each food group carries toward the entire Housing expenditure category, whilst the percentages indicate the price change within that product group.
Dwelling costs+0.4%
Energy expenses-7.3%
Maintenance of dwelling+0.2%
Garden maintenance
+1.8%
Water+0.0%
HOUSING EXPENDITURE CATEGORY
39% of C
