Central Statistical Office releases the Index of Retail Prices for March 2016

TRINIDAD:  April 21, 2016: The Central Statistical Office is pleased to announce the release of the Index of Retail Prices for the month of March 2016. The information is based on data collected in the survey of retail prices during the month of March 2016.
 
Index of Retail Prices
The Index (All Items) was 103.3 in March 2016 from 103.4 which was recorded in the previous month (February 2016) as shown in the table below.
The Index for Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages decreased from 109.6 in February 2016 to 108.6 in March 2016, reflecting a decrease of 0.9%. Contributing significantly to this decrease was the general downward movement in the prices of pumpkin; bodi; apple; spinach; tomatoes; callalloo bush; canned sardines; cucumber; onions; and garlic. However, the full impact of these price decreases was offset by the general increase in the prices of fresh sea food; eddoes; pork ham; fresh duck; edible oils; melongene; dried, salted or smoked pork; biscuits; dried pigeon peas; and fresh pork.
A further review of the data for March 2016 compared with February 2016 reflected an increase in the sub-indices for Clothing and Footwear of 0.4% and Health of 0.8%. However decreases were noted in the sub-indices for Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco of 0.4%.
 
Inflation Rate
The Inflation Rate for March 2016 (measured as the percentage change in the Index for January to March 2016/January to March 2015) was 3.0%. This represents an increase from 2.9% which was recorded in the previous period (January to February 2016/January to February 2015)