Food prices rose by over nine per cent during the first four months of 2008, pushing headline inflation close to seven per cent for the period.

According to the Statistical Institute of Jamaica (Statin), the all Jamaica consumer price index rose by 1.5 per cent in April, which brought calender year-to-date inflation to 6.8 per cent.

Food and non-alcoholic beverages has a 37.4 per cent weighting in the inflation basket, so the high increase in food prices is largely responsible for the near-seven per cent inflation.

The numbers would have painted a bleaker picture if it were the old inflation basket that was being used. That basket had food and non-alcoholic beverages weighing in nearly half of the basket - 45.9 per cent.

Using the old basket, which was replaced in June last year, inflation would have been 7.6 per cent for the first four months of 2008.

Housing, water, electricity and gas and other fuels make up the next highest weighting along with transport costs, which each make up 12.8 per cent of the inflation basket.
Those items respectively saw an 8.2 per cent increase and a 2.6 per cent increase in prices.

Miscellaneous goods and services, which include a range of items including personal grooming establishments, toiletries and other personal effects, saw a nine per cent increase in prices.

The cost of recreation and culture rose by 3.2 per cent during the review period.

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