Wang Yuanyuan
SHENZHEN saw a 3.8 percent year-on-year rise in the consumer price index (CPI) last month, which was mainly as a result of food price increases.
City food prices rose by 8.3 percent last month over the same period last year and by 0.6 percent over August, according to the figures released by the Shenzhen office of the National Bureau of Statistics on Monday.
Fresh vegetables, nuts and eggs led the price hikes, in which prices for eggs and nuts have increased by 16 percent and 15.8 percent respectively. The hike was mainly due to the frequent storms and increases in labor and transportation costs, said Zhou Liqing, an expert from the office.
Meanwhile, the price of alcohol rose by about 5 percent from September, partly because of increased demand for high-end alcoholic drinks such as red wine.
Residents have complained that prices for vegetables have increased to the point where they are almost as expensive as meat. Five hundred grams of pork is about 7.98 yuan (US$1.2), but 500 grams of garlic sprouts costs 9.8 yuan and 500 grams of garlic is 13.8 yuan. It s unbelievable, said Lin Fangfang, a housewife, while shopping at Carrefour Supermarket in Futian District yesterday.
The wholesale price of dried seafood has increased by at least 50 percent since last year, according to Buji Farm Produce Wholesale Market, the city s biggest wholesale market, yesterday.
The price of dried scallops from Japan has increased from 300 yuan per 500 grams to 500 yuan, while sea cucumbers from Liaoning Province are now 5,000 yuan per 500 grams, about 1,500 yuan more than last year, said Lin Shaoru, a sales manager at the wholesale market. He did not know the reason for the sharp hikes.
Owing to the sharp increases in food prices, many residents have been looking for new ways to save money. I started buying food presents for New Year and the Spring Festival in September because I am afraid the prices will keep increasing. I bought a lot of imperishable food, such as dried food and canned food, said Li Weijia, a resident.
In addition food, there were also price rises for cigarettes, home medical equipment and entertainment last month.
However, city transport and telecommunications costs fell by 1 percent last month.
The city CPI increased by 3 percent in the past nine months compared with the same period last year. The CPI is expected to increase by at least 3 percent this year, Zhou said.
