For example, the CPI GBA measured by the consulting firm orlando ferrerespresented in January a monthly increase of 5.2% (In December, the firm’s survey had indicated a rise in retail prices of 6%).
“Regarding the main items, “Housing” and “Various goods” led the increases for the month, registering monthly increases of 8.1% and 6.0% respectively; followed by ‘Health’ and ‘Transport and communications’, which presented a variation of 5.9% and 5.7% respectively”, they analyzed from the firm, and highlighted that the core measurement showed a variation of 4.4%. “Regarding seasonal goods and services, the registered variation was 7.2% per month, while Regulated goods increased 6.3% per month,” he indicated.
For its part, based on the data collected up to January 23, the consultant eco go projected headline inflation of 5.6% for January. “Regulated products drove the general indicator for the month upwards, highlighting the increases in prepaid (6.5%), fuel (2%), and gas, electricity and water rates (14.1%, 19.6% and 20 1% respectively), domestic service (6.5%), bus and train fares in AMBA (between 20% and 70% depending on the service), among others”, the firm pointed out.
“In January inflation advanced compared to the previous month to 5.7%. For this first month of the year, the increase in regulated prices influenced as gasoline, transportation, electricity, gas and water”, explained Damián Di Pace, director of the consulting firm Focus Market, who added: “At the same time, food had a rise of 4.7%. In the case of meat, it had a partial impact due to the increase in shelves last week, but more late price recovery is expected in February.”
Precisely, when analyzing the evolution of food, Di Pace pointed out: “The Government maintains its strong commitment to Fair Prices, trying to renew the program until June with a monthly increase of 3.2%. However, there is a dual price variation in the mass consumption retail channel. In large stores, what is fair in terms of prices is unfair in terms of replacement and quantity offered. The stock is limited and in some cases absent. In the traditional national and Chinese self-service channel, the quantity is fair with good assortment and delivery, but the price is more unfair in terms of what the government wants because the increases are those of the market in some cases in double digits.”
Surveys
The price survey of some consultants even ranked above 6%. This is the case of the CPI measured by the Fundación Freedom and Progresswhich in January recorded a variation of 6.3% (in December, it had measured 5.2%).
“The variations of this month were conditioned to a great extent by the adjustments of regulated prices such as electricity, gas, fuels and private medicine. It should be noted that in these items the Government delayed the updates during the past three years, so even with the latest increases they remain below the real values that they maintained in December 2019″, they analyzed from the firm, where they estimated a variation of the item “Food and non-alcoholic beverages” of 4.1%.
For its part, the survey of retail prices carried out by C&T for the GBA presented an increase of 6.4% in January, accelerating from the 6.2% registered in the firm’s survey in December.
“The item with the highest monthly increase was recreation, driven by the components related to tourism, which have a peak this month due to the beginning of the summer season”, they analyzed from the consultancy.
“Continuing with the moderation of November, food and beverages was the item with the lowest increase in the month: 3.8%. Beverages, oils, fruits and flour derivatives contributed to this moderation, while meat resumed its rise”, they concluded.
Source: Ambito
