A report received from the Central Bureau of Statistics discusses the price changes in April.
The report states that the price changes for utilities (electricity and water), gasoline, and diesel are primarily determined by the international oil price. In April 2024, the average price for a barrel of oil (US$ 85.50) increased by US$ 4.49 (5.5%) compared to March 2024 (US$ 81.01).
The prices of electricity and water did not change compared to March 2024. Consequently, the average price of electricity for households remained at Afl. 274.57, while the average price of water for households stayed at Afl. 168.73.
The price of gasoline registered an increase of Afl. 11.30 cents (4.4%) in April 2024, causing an effect of 0.21 percentage points (ppt) on the CPI. The price of diesel registered a decrease of Afl. 6.30 cents (-2.7%) in April 2024, causing an effect of -0.01 ppt on the CPI.
In April 2024, utilities, gasoline, and diesel as a group experienced a price increase of 1.2% compared to March 2024, collectively influencing the CPI by 0.20 ppt. Meanwhile, the remaining 404 goods and services together experienced a price decrease of 0.2%, having an effect of -0.13 ppt on the CPI.
Price Changes in Food and Catering Services in April 2024
The index for “Food & Catering Services” registered an increase of 0.3% in April 2024, following a 0.2% increase in March 2024. The index for “Food at Home” (0.3%) showed an increase, with seven out of the eleven indicators in the food at home groups rising in April 2024.
The “Fruit” index saw the largest increase (2.3%) in April 2024. Other significant increases were recorded in the indices for “Vegetables” (1.2%) and “Bread and Other Grain Products” (0.8%).
The largest decrease was recorded in the “Potatoes, Cassava, and Sweet Potatoes” index (-3.9%) in April 2024. The “Food Away from Home” index registered an increase of 0.2% in April 2024. In April 2024, “Food at Home” and “Food Away from Home” as a group experienced a price increase of 0.3% compared to March 2024, collectively influencing the CPI by 0.05 ppt. Meanwhile, the remaining goods and services together experienced a slight price increase of 0.03%, having an effect of 0.02 ppt on the CPI.
