Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- In August 2020, the average level of consumer prices and tariffs in Uzbekistan increased by 0.5%. Excluding changes in prices for fruit and vegetable products, the increase in the consolidated CPI for a month made up 0.8%.

In January-August 2020, prices and tariffs in the consumer market increased by an average of 4.8%. In annual terms (compared to August 2019), the average increase in prices for goods and services made up 11.7%.

In August 2019, on average monthly prices for goods and services increased by 2,9%. Excluding changes in prices for fruits and vegetables, the increase in the composite indicator was 3.2%.

In January-August 2019, goods and services rose on average by 8.2%. In August 2019, compared to August 2018, goods and services increased on average by 16.5%.

The average monthly CPI growth in January-August 2020 made up 0.6% against 1.0% in the same period of 2019.

In August, the most significant gap was noted in the consolidated CPI compared to December of the previous year during January-August 2019 and 2020 (108.2% versus 104.8%, or 3.4 points, respectively), and the minimum was in April (105.3% versus 104.5%, or 0.8 points).

The annual consolidated CPI in August 2020, compared with the same indicator for the previous month, decreased by 2.7 points (from 14.4% to 11.7%). At the same time, the CPI for August 2020 compared to August of the previous year was 4.8 points lower than that for August 2019 (11.7% versus 16.5%).

Food products in August of this year rose on average by 0.3%, non-food products -- by 0.8%, services -- by 0.4%.

Due to the rise in prices for food products, the consolidated CPI for the month increased by 0.1 p.p.

The rise in prices for non-food goods added 0.3 p.p. to the consolidated indicator for the month.

The increase in prices and tariffs for services increased the consolidated indicator for the month by an additional 0.1 p.p.

As for the dynamics of the influence of price changes by main groups on the increase or decrease in the consolidated CPI for each month in January-August, then, from January to April of the current year, there was a gradual increase in the influence of price changes for food products (from 0.4 p.p. up to 1.4 p.p.) with a relative stability of the influence of non-food products and services. Since May, the seasonal downward trend in prices for fruits and vegetables and, as a consequence, for food products, contributed to a tangible decrease in inflationary pressures in the short term. Since August, the price changes for foodstuffs again began to exert inflationary pressure in the short term, although not as significant as in January-May.

In general, in January-August 2020, the level of prices for food products increased by 5.2%, non-food products - by 4.9%, services - by 4.0%.

An assessment of the contribution of price changes, taking into account the share of each enlarged group, showed that in January-August 2020, food products continued to dominate on a monthly basis. Inflationary pressure from price changes on food products during this period gradually increased from 0.4 pp. (January) to 3.3 p.p. (April), and from May it began to decline and in August it reached 2.2 p.p., despite this retaining its leadership in terms of influence.

The contribution of the growth in prices for non-food products and paid services to the population in the increase in the aggregate indicator compared to December 2019 was less pronounced. So, for non-food products, this indicator from January to August increased from 0.1 p.p. to 1.7 p.p., and for services - from 0.1 p.p. up to 0.9 p.p.

In specific indicators, the share of the impact of price changes in food products in August 2020 made up 45.8%, non-food products - 35.3%, services - 18.9% of the total increase in the consolidated CPI compared to December 2019.

As for the influence of price changes in the main groups of goods and services on the growth of the consolidated CPI in annual terms, in August this year due to the growth in prices for food products this indicator increased by 7.2 percentage points. (61.6% of the total influence), non-food products - by 2.8 percentage points. (23.8%), services - by 1.7 p.p. (14.6%).

The observed types of foodstuffs increased in price by 0.3% on average over the month. The short-term CPI versus the previous month in this group was largely influenced by the rise in prices for meat and fat and oil products, as well as seasonal fluctuations in prices for fruits and vegetables. So, excluding price changes for fruits, vegetables and potatoes, the CPI growth for food products for the month made up 1.0%.

Since the beginning of 2020, the average growth in prices for goods in this group made up 5.2% with an average monthly growth of 0.6%. Compared to August 2019, food prices increased by 16.8% on average.

Of the main groups of food products observed in August of this year, the most significant price increases were recorded for meat, poultry and fish (1.9%), eggs (1.5%) and fat and oil products (1.4%). Alcoholic drinks increased in price by 0.7% over the month, sugar, tea and other food products - by 0.5%, dairy products - by 0.4%, soft drinks - by 0.2%. Under the influence of the seasonal factor, fruits and vegetables became cheaper by 2.9% on average per month.

Prices in the catering sector in August increased by 1.3%, and since the beginning of the year, have increased by 7.5%.

Compared to the end of 2019, the most significant price increases were recorded for bakery products (11.8%), as well as for meat, poultry and fish (10.0%). Along with this, fruit and vegetable products became cheaper by 9.0% since the beginning of the year.

The peak of growth in prices for bakery products during January-August 2020 was recorded in April, when prices for goods in this group increased by an average of 4.3%. The average monthly CPI growth in January-August in this group was 1.4%.

Of the bread products (including cereals and legumes), prices for rice and rice cuts (1.5%), as well as vermicelli, macaroni and similar products (in the range of 0.7% to 1.2%) rose higher than for other products in this group. The decrease in prices was recorded for buckwheat (-6.0%), beans (-2.5%) and mash (-1.2%). Despite this, buckwheat and legumes continue to hold the lead in price growth relative to the end of last year.

The most significant monthly rise in prices for meat, poultry and fish was recorded in April, while their minimum monthly growth was recorded in January, June and July.

The CPI for these products in August this year compared to December 2019 made up 110.0% with an average monthly growth of 1.2%.

Meat products increased in price by 1.9% on average over the month (10.0% from the beginning of the year). Over the month, lamb added in price by 3.1% (14.5%), beef (except boneless meat) - by 2.9% (11.4%), boneless beef - by 2.3% (11.6%), minced meat - by 2.1% (9.5%), pork - by 1.3% (8.5%). Chicken legs and drumsticks, on the contrary, became cheaper by 0.5% over the month, other poultry meat - 0.7%. At the same time, relative to December 2019, they rose in price by 4.3% and 2.0%, respectively.

The dynamics of egg prices in January-August 2020 was uneven. A monthly decline in prices was recorded in February (by 2.1%), March (by 3.5%), June (by 2.5%) and July (by 2.3%), and the peak of price growth was in April (8.1%).

The CPI of eggs in August of this year compared to December 2019 made up 107.2%, with an average monthly growth of the index by 0.9%.

The dynamics of prices for dairy products in January-August 2020 is characterized by an upward trend. The maximum monthly prices in this group increased in April (2.5%), the minimum - in July (0.1%).

The CPI of dairy products in August of this year compared to December 2019 made up 106.4% with an average monthly growth of the index by 0.8%.

Among dairy products, prices rose more significantly than others for cream (0.8%), pasteurized milk and sour cream (0.7% each), and since the beginning of the year - for kefir, yogurt (9.8%) and fresh milk (8.3%).

Price changes for fruit and vegetable products are traditionally the most subject to significant fluctuations. So, from January to August 2020, the maximum rise in prices for the month was noted in April (by 6.6%), and a decrease in June (by 8.4%). At the same time, the average level of prices for these products in August of this year against December of last year decreased by 9.0%.

Among fruit and vegetable products, the most pronounced decrease were in prices for melons (by 26.1%), watermelons (by 25.9%), grapes (by 21.6%), as well as apples (by 17.7%), pears (by 11.5%), tomatoes (11.0%) and bell peppers (9.8%). Along with this, cabbage (23.7%), garlic (15.1%) and cucumbers (10.3%) went up more than others.

Compared to the end of 2019, the leadership in price growth belongs to lemons (1.7 times), potatoes and carrots (1.3 times). Significantly cheaper than in December 2019, were sold bell peppers (by 84.9%), fresh cucumbers (by 79.9%) and tomatoes (by 78.0%).

Sugar, tea and other products increased in price from March to May more significantly than in other months (in the range from 1.0% to 1.6%), and in August they became more expensive by 0.5%.

The CPI for this group of goods in August of this year compared to December 2019 made up 105.6% with an average monthly growth of the index by 0.7%.

Prices for granulated sugar in August of this year increased by 0.1% (since the beginning of the year - by 4.7%), refined sugar - by 0.1% (6.2%). Over the month, confectionery products added 0.6% in price (from the beginning of the year 6.2%), coffee and tea - by 0.4% (from the beginning of the year 5.0%), other food products (salt, spices, seasonings and others) - by 0.5% (4.3%).

The most significant monthly price increases for oil and fats were observed from March to May and August 2020, while the minimum monthly price increases were recorded in January. The average monthly CPI growth in this group of goods in January-August made up 0.9%. Since the beginning of the year, oil and fat products have risen in price by an average of 7.3%.

In August 2020, sunflower and cottonseed oils became more expensive by 1.7% over the month, animal fats, melted fats - by 0.8%, margarine - by 0.5%, butter - by 0.4%.

Since the beginning of the year, sunflower oil has risen in price by 8.7%, butter and margarine - by 7.7%, animal and ghee fats - 7.2%, cottonseed oil - by 6.2%.

As for the changes in consumer prices for the main groups of food products in annual terms, eggs (49.8%) continue to hold the lead in price growth relative to the corresponding month of last year.

Analysis of the structure of the influence of changes in prices of the main groups of food products on the value of the consolidated CPI for the month showed that the most significant contribution to the change in the consolidated indicator was made by price changes for fruits and vegetables and meat products.

Due to the rise in prices for meat, poultry and fish, the consolidated CPI for the month increased by 0.20 p.p., fat and oil products - by 0.04 p.p., sugar, tea and other products - by 0.03 p.p., catering - by 0.02 p.p. Decrease in prices for fruits and vegetables reduced the aggregate indicator by 0.23 percentage points.

In the structure of the consolidated CPI growth compared to December 2019, the most significant share of food products belongs to meat, poultry and fish (1.03 p.p.), as well as bread products (0.81 p.p.). Due to the rise in prices for sugar, tea and spices, the consolidated CPI increased by 0.33 p.p. compared to December 2019, dairy products - by 0.22 p.p., oil and fats - also by 0.22 p.p. Due to the decline in prices for fruits, vegetables and potatoes, the aggregate indicator decreased by 0.69 percentage points.

As for the consolidated CPI in annual terms, among food products the most significant contribution to the growth of the aggregate indicator was made by bakery products (2.04 p.p.), meat, poultry and fish (1.87 p.p.), fruits and vegetables (0.71 p.p), as well as sugar, tea and other products (0.67 p.p.).

Non-food products in August 2020 increased in price by 0.8% on average.

Compared to December 2019, the increase in prices for goods in this group made up 4.9%, in August 2019 - 8.0%.

The average monthly CPI growth for non-food products in January-August 2020 was 0.6%.

In August 2020, of the main monitored groups of non-food products, the leading in terms of price growth for the month belongs to construction materials, which on average became more expensive by 3.9%, and fuel for cars, which increased by 2.1%.

Compared to December 2019, prices for printed products (13.8%), construction materials (11.1%), medicines (9.2%), personal transport (8.3%) and tobacco products (7.5%) increased most significantly.

In annual terms, the prices for books, newspapers and magazines (16.5%), construction materials (15.1%), tobacco products (14.5%), medicines (12.8%) went up significantly.

As for the contribution of price changes of the main groups of non-food products to the increase in the consolidated CPI for the month, at the end of August 2020, the most significant contribution, taking into account the specific weight, was made by the increase in prices for building materials (0.13 p.p.), as well as fuel and spare parts for cars (0.06 pp). Due to the growth in prices for clothing, the aggregate indicator increased by 0.02 percentage points, medicines - by 0.02 percentage points, detergents and cleaning products, as well as personal hygiene products - by 0.02 percentage points in total. The increase in prices for other groups of non-food products added about 0.03 percentage points.

The top three in terms of contribution to the growth of the consolidated CPI in August of the current year to December 2019 from the main groups of non-food products included construction materials (0.36 p.p.), clothing (0.32 p.p.) and medicines (0.26 p.p.). In total, these groups provided over 55% of the total influence of non-food products.

Leading positions in terms of influence on the growth of the consolidated CPI in annual terms among non-food products also belong to the above three groups. Thus, due to the growth in prices for clothing, this indicator increased by 0.63 percentage points, building materials - by 0.49 percentage points, medicines - by 0.36 percentage points. The total contribution of these groups to the increase in the consolidated CPI in annual terms made up about 53% of the total impact of non-food products.

In August 2020, the increase in tariffs for paid services to the population for the month made up 0.4%, with an average monthly increase in the CPI in this area for January-August 2020 by 0.5%.

Compared to the end of 2019, the increase in tariffs was 4.0%, and in annual terms - 7.5%.

The leader in the growth of tariffs in August of this year belongs to passenger transport services, which increased in price by 1.3% over the month, including air - by 6.9%, railway - by 1.1%, road - by 0.4%.

In general, in January-August 2020, the top three in terms of tariff growth included services of preschool educational organizations (15.2%), recreation services (8.4%) and personal services (6.7%).

In annual terms, the most significant price increase was recorded for educational services (17.3%), preschool educational institutions (15.2%), household (12.7%) and medical services (11.5%), passenger transport services (10.8%) and leisure (10.6%).

The growth in tariffs for passenger transport and household services made the most significant contribution to the increase in the consolidated CPI for the month (total impact of 0.07 percentage points).

Of the main observed types of paid services to the population, the contribution of the increase in tariffs for household services (0.31 percentage points) to the increase in the consolidated CPI relative to the end of 2019 was more significant. In addition, a significant contribution was made by the increase in the cost of passenger transport services (0.20 p.p.), medical services (0.16 p.p.), as well as education and preschool educational organizations (total 0.15 p.p.).

As for the impact on the growth of the aggregate indicator in annual terms, the leading positions belong to household services (0.58 percentage points), services in the field of education, including preschool (0.43 percentage points), passenger transport (0.34 p.p.) and medical services (0.29 p.p.).