The department said the higher CPI in August was due to alcoholic beverages & tobacco by 19.7% and food & non-alcoholic beverages (up 3.5%). “The index for food & non-alcoholic beverages (weight: 30.2) rose 3.5% on a year-on-year basis in August 2016. The increase was led by increases in four food sub-groups namely, index for meat (+6.9%); fish and seafood (+5.2%); fruits (+3.9%) and vegetables (+3.1%). CPI for the period January to August 2016 rose 2.3% from the previous corresponding period. The increase was led by increases in the main groups with high expenditure percentages: Food & non-alcoholic beverages (+4.2%) and housing, water, electricity, gas & other fuels (+2.6%).

Source: The Star September 21, 2016 04:37 UTC