Consumer Price Index (CPI) Kept Jumping in April

In April, consumer price index rose by 8.5 percent over the same period of the previous year. Of which, urban area and rural area was up by 8.1 percent and 9.3 percent respectively; the price of foodstuff, non-foodstuff, consumable and services expanded 22.1, 1.8, 10.6, and 1.7 percent respectively. Compared with March, CPI increased 0.1 percent slightly; the foodstuff was down by 0.1 percent, of the total, fresh vegetable and fresh eggs declined 9.2 and 0.5 percent respectively.

In terms of different categories, the price of foodstuff increased 22.1 percent year-on-year. Of the total, the price of meat, poultry and processed products rose by 47.9 percent (of the total, pork was up by 68.3 percent), that of fresh vegetable surged 13.6 percent, and grain was up by 7.4 percent; that of oil or fat, aquatic products, fresh fruits, fresh eggs and spices rose by 46.6, 16.1, 12.1, 3.6, and 5.1 percent respectively.

The price of tobacco, liquor and articles jumped by 2.6 percent over the same period of the previous year. Of which, the price of tobacco and liquor rose 0.3 and 7.1 percent respectively.

The price of clothing was down by 1.4 percent year-on-year, of which, the price of clothes declined 1.6 percent.

The price of household services, maintenance and renovation rose by 2.7 percent year-on-year. Of which, the price of durable consumer goods rose by 1.3 percent, and that of household services, maintenance and renovation surging 9.8 percent.

The price of medical care and personal articles increased 3.6 percent year-on-year. Of which, the price of western medicines increased 1.1 percent; that of traditional Chinese medicinal materials and medicines was up by 9.9 percent; and that of health care services shot up by 0.5 percent.

The price of transportation and communication dropped 1.7 percent. Of which, the price of vehicles dropped 2.1 percent; that of vehicles fuel and spares increased 7.9 percent; that of using and maintaining of vehicles rose by 0.3 percent; that of intercity transportation rose by 3.9 percent; that of urban transportation increased 0.3 percent; and that of telecommunication services fell 19.7 percent.

The price of recreational, educational and cultural articles decreased 0.7 percent. Of which, price of tuition and baby-care increased 0.3 percent; that of teaching materials dropped 0.3 percent; that of recreation increased 2.2 percent; that of tourism and outgoing was up by 2.4 percent; and that of cultural articles dropped 0.5 percent.

The price of articles related to residence expanded 6.8 percent over the same period of the previous year. Of which, price of water, electricity and fuel, construction and decoration materials, and housing rent was respectively climbing 7.1, 7.1, and 4.5 percent.

From January to April, the general level of accumulated CPI increased 8.2 percent year-on-year. Of the total, urban and rural areas rose by 7.8 and 8.8 percent respectively; that of food, tobacco, liquor, and articles, household services and maintenance and renovation, health care and personal articles, and residence expanded 21.2, 2.4, 2.3, 3.5, and 6.6 percent respectively; that of clothing, transportation and communication, recreational, educational and cultural articles dropped 1.5, 1.4, and 0.6 percent respectively.

In April, CPI still remains in a high position. This is not only with previous April on a low base, but also with the international market of primary products, especially grain prices continued to result in substantially higher prices of domestic food. At present still need to pay close attention to the future price trend, and put inflation control in a more prominent position.