Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- In June 2021, goods and services in the consumer market in Uzbekistan on average became cheaper by 0.2%, which is largely due to the seasonal factor. Since the beginning of this year, their prices have increased by 4.4% with an average monthly value of 0.7%. In annual terms, the CPI growth reached 10.9%, the State Statistics Committee of Uzbekistan said.

The short-term consolidated CPI in June 2021 was at the same level as in June 2020, and was 0.3 points lower than in June 2019. The consolidated CPI in annual terms (to the corresponding month of the previous year) for June 2021 was 3.3 points lower than in June last year, and 2.7 points lower than in June 2019. This indicator for the first half of 2021 (compared to December of the previous year) was 0.2 points lower than the same indicator for JanuaryJune last year, and 1.2 points lower than in June 2019.

In June of this year, food products held the lead in terms of influence on the short-term consolidated CPI. Due to the decrease in prices for them, the aggregate indicator decreased by 0.4 percentage points.

The contribution of the rise in prices for non-food products to the growth of the consolidated CPI in the short term in June 2021 reached 0.17 p.p.

The increase in prices and tariffs for services in June 2021 added another 0.05 p.p. to the consolidated CPI for the month.

In the structure of the consolidated CPI in annual terms for June 2021, the leadership continues to be held by food products, the increase in prices for which increased this indicator by 6.2 percentage points (about 56.8% of the total impact of goods and services).

The share of the contribution of the rise in food prices in the total increase in the consolidated CPI for the first half of this year reached 54.4% of the total increase in the consolidated CPI (against 61.6% in January-May this year). Non-food products and paid services shared the influence in approximately equal shares (23.7% and 21.9%, respectively).

The decrease in the CPI for food products in June this year for the month amounted to 0.9%. In June 2020 and 2019, the decrease in this indicator was more pronounced and reached 1.2% and 1.8%, respectively. The growth in the annual CPI in this group in June 2021 was at the level of 14.7%. This is, respectively, 4.1 and 1.6 points lower than the same indicator for June 2020 and 2019. In general, for the first half of 2021, food prices increased by 5.7%, which is 0.5 points lower than in the corresponding period of 2020, and 0.2 points lower than in January-June 2019.

The increase in the CPI for non-food products in June this year amounted to 0.5% for the month. In June 2020 and 2019, this indicator was 0.1 points higher than in June this year.. The growth in the annual CPI in this group in June 2021 reached 8.2%, which is 1.2 points lower than the figure for June last year, and 2.7 points lower than in June 2019. Relative to December 2020, non-food products became more expensive by 3.0%, which is 0.6 points lower than in January-June last year, and 2.2 points lower than in the same period in 2019.

In June 2021, services rose in price by 0.2% over a month. This is 0.4 points lower than last June and 0.5 points lower than in June 2019. The annual CPI in this group in June 2021 was 108.1%, against 112.8% in June 2020 and 112.9% in June 2019. In the first six months of 2021, services became more expensive by 4.1%, which is 1 point higher than in January-June last year and 1.2 points lower than the increase in prices for this group in JanuaryJune 2019.

After a monthly rise in prices for food and non-alcoholic beverages during the five months of this year, in June, for the first time, their decline was recorded (by 1.0% over the month). Fruit and nuts (-3.8%), fat and oil products (-2.8%), vegetables, tubers, plantains and legumes (-2.6%), as well as dairy products and eggs (-1.6%). Meat products, sugar, confectionery and desserts rose more than others (0.4%).

Fat and oil products continue to hold the leadership in terms of price growth relative to the end of last year (22.5 %). In addition, the top three in terms of price growth for the first half of 2021 included fruits and nuts (16.1 %), as well as sugar, confectionery and desserts (7.1%). In annual terms, fat and oil products (by 1.5 times), vegetables, tubers and plantains and legumes (28.4%), sugar, confectionery and desserts (15.7%), meat products (14.5%), milk, other dairy products and eggs (11.6%) became much more expensive.

In June 2021, among the main food products (excluding fruit and vegetable products), the prices for eggs fell most significantly for the month (-7.6 %). As a result of the adoption of a set of measures to stabilize prices for vegetable oil, it became cheaper in June 2021 by an average of 3.6% in the republic. In addition, in June of this year, prices for poultry meat (from -0.1% to -0.5%), fresh milk (-0.3%), frozen fish, buckwheat (-0.2%), cottage cheese, rice and rice cut (-0.1%) were recorded. Along with this, soft drinks (0.9%), sugar (0.8%), beef (0.6 % - 0.7%), lamb (0.4%) have risen in price. In relation to December 2020, vegetable oil (1.3 times) and granulated sugar (14.7%) continue to hold the leading positions in price growth. In annual terms, inflationary processes were most clearly manifested in the growth of prices for cottonseed and sunflower oil, which, on average, became 1.6 times more expensive, as well as for sugar (1.3 times).

Of the fruit and vegetable products, the most significant price decline over the month was for bell peppers (-62.9%), eggplants (-53.2%), cucumbers (-48.6%) and tomatoes (-47.5%). The highest rise in prices for the month was noted for carrots (1.8 times). In terms of price growth both from the beginning of the year and in annual terms, carrots are leading by a significant margin (2.9 and 3.2 times, respectively).

Among food products and nonalcoholic beverages, the most significant impact on the current short-term consolidated CPI in June this year had a seasonal decline in prices for fruit and vegetable products. Thus, due to a decrease in prices for fruits and vegetables, the consolidated CPI for the month decreased by 0.28 percentage points. The decline in prices for fat and oil products further reduced the aggregate indicator by 0.08 percentage points. Lower prices for dairy products and eggs allowed the consolidated CPI to fall by another 0.06 percentage points. The main inflationary impact from food and non-alcoholic beverages was exerted by the rise in prices for meat products, as well as for sugar, confectionery and desserts (0.04 p.p. in total).

The most significant contribution to the growth of the consolidated CPI for January-June 2021 from the main groups of food and non-alcoholic beverages was made by price changes for fruits and nuts, as well as for oil and fats. In total, due to the increase in prices for goods of these groups, the consolidated CPI since the beginning of the year has increased by 1.35 percentage points, which is about 59% of the total impact of food and non-alcoholic beverages and over 30% of the total impact of goods and services. A significant contribution was also made by the increase in prices for meat products (+0.34 p.p., or 14.9% of the impact of food and non-alcoholic beverages), as well as for sugar, confectionery and desserts (0.20 p.p.), or 8.7%).

Alcoholic beverages in June of this year became more expensive by 0.3% over the month, including beer - by 0.6%, spirits and liqueurs - by 0.2%. During the same period, tobacco products rose in price by 2.0%. By the level of December 2020, alcoholic beverages increased in price by 4.5%, including alcoholic beverages and liqueurs - by 5.0%, beer - by 3.5%, wine - by 2.8%. Since the beginning of the year, tobacco products have become more expensive by 9.1%. In annual terms, prices for alcoholic beverages increased by an average of 8.9%, tobacco products - by 14.4%.

In June 2021, prices and tariffs for housing services, water, electricity, gas and other types of household fuel increased by 0.2% over the month. The prices for locksmiths, plumbers, electricians and painters rose by 1.1% over the month, materials for housing maintenance and repairs - by 0.6%, and rent for residential premises increased by 0.5%. Since the beginning of the year, housing maintenance and repair services, as well as the materials used for this, have become more expensive by 3.9% and 3.5%, respectively, (13.1% and 9.0% by June 2020), rent increased by 1.5%, for cold water supply and sewerage - 1.6 times (1.9 times), service in apartment buildings - by 1.7% (1.8%), for waste collection and disposal - by 1.1% (2.4%).

The most significant of the goods and services in this section in June of this year, prices increased for large (2.7%) and small (1.3%) household appliances, as well as services for the repair and installation of furniture, household items and pile carpets ( 1.1%). In general, for the first six months of 2021, the leadership in the growth of prices continues to be held by household and household services (8.0%), including disinfection and pest control (13.2%). In annual terms, leading positions in terms of price growth also belong to household and household services (15.7%).

Of the main observed types of goods and services in the healthcare sector, in June 2021, prices for medical laboratory services (1.3%), dental preventive services (0.9 %) and therapeutic massage services (0.7%) increased significantly more than others during the month. Since the beginning of the year, the most significant increase in prices was noted for inpatient treatment services (7.8%), as well as for diagnostic imaging services and medical laboratories (7.6%). Compared to June 2020, services for diagnostic imaging and medical laboratories (14.8%), inpatient treatment and rehabilitation services (13.9%), outpatient treatment and rehabilitation services (12.7%) became significantly more expensive.

The key inflationary factor in this section was the rise in prices for gasoline, which increased by 2.5% on average in the republic over the month, and propane, which increased in price by 8.7%. A restraining factor was the decrease in the cost of air travel on the observed routes in the international direction (-3.5%), which was due to a decrease in ticket prices in the direction of TashkentAlmaty-Tashkent. Since the beginning of 2021, the most pronounced growth in prices was for gasoline (17.0%), as well as for maintenance and repair of personal vehicles (8.2%). In annual terms, inflationary processes were most pronounced in the growth of prices for gasoline (38.9%), services for the maintenance and repair of personal vehicles, as well as air passenger transport (18.8%).

In June of this year, in the section "Information and Communication", equipment for receiving, recording and reproducing sound and images for a month became more expensive by 1.7%, peripheral equipment and its consumable components - by 0.9%, computers, laptops and tablets, and also for services for the repair of information and communication equipment - by 0.7%, telephone equipment - by 0.2%. In general, in the first half of 2021, equipment for receiving, recording and reproducing sound and images has risen more significantly than others (6.4%). In annual terms, by a significant margin, the leaders in price growth continue to be held by services for the repair of information and communication equipment (15.7%).

In June this year, the main increase in prices in the section "Recreation, Sports and Culture" was recorded for the services of parks (4.7%), museums and cinemas (1.0%). Along with this, there was a decrease in prices for fresh flowers (-0.5%). Compared to the end of last year, the highest price increases were recorded for newspapers and periodicals (14.8%), including weekly newspapers - by 13.7%, monthly magazines - by 15.9%. In annual terms, the leadership in the growth of prices continues to be held by the services of renting textbooks and teaching aids, which, as compared to June last year, increased in price by 36.0%.

The short-term CPI on education services in June this year was influenced by an increase in the cost of tutoring services and training in language and other educational courses in a number of regions. On average, in the republic, tutoring services have become more expensive by 0.5% over the month, training on courses - by 0.1%. Since the beginning of this year, the services of tutors in the country on average have increased in price by 4.8%, training on courses - by 3.6%, and preschool education services - by 13.1%. The leaders in the growth of prices in annual terms are the services of state preschool educational organizations (15.0%).

Over the month, ready-made food in cafes and canteens has become more expensive by 0.4%, in fast food establishments - by 0.5%. Services of hotels, hotels and similar hotel services for the same period on average in the republic increased by 0.5%, while the cost of services of recreation centers remained at the level of the last month.

The leader in price growth in January-June of this year is the services of recreation centers, which during this period have risen in price by 17.3%. Leadership in price growth in annual terms for June 2021 also belongs to the services of recreation centers (22.4%). In addition, ready-made food in canteens and cafes has become more expensive as compared to June last year by 14.2% and 13.3%, in fast food establishments - by 15.5%. Hotel services, hotels and similar hotel services, compared to June 2020, increased by 9.1%.

The cost of insurance and financial services for the month did not change significantly. Only a 0.6% increase in fees for money transfers was registered, which is associated with a change in the exchange rate of the national currency against the US dollar. During the first half of 2021, the cost of insurance services was also stable, while financial services became more expensive by 1.6%.

In annual terms, the increase in prices for financial services was recorded at around 6.3%, which was influenced by an increase in the cost of services of banking institutions by 1.1%, fees for money transfers - by 4.5%, as well as for the transfer of funds through electronic payment systems - by 18.9%.

From household goods and services, hairdressing services became more expensive over the month by 1.1%, services of personal service establishments - by 0.8%, appliances, products and goods for personal use (excluding electrical) - by an average of 0.4%, electrical personal appliances - by 0.3%. Watch repair services in June rose in price by 1.3%, travel goods, products for children and other personal items - by 0.4%. Among other services in this section, there were no significant price changes in June. In general, for the first half of 2021, ritual services (11.7%), hairdressing services (10.5%), and legal services (9.5%) were among the top three leaders in terms of price and tariff growth. In annual terms, the most significant increase in prices for documents photocopying (22.9%), hairdressing services (21.1%), and watch repair (17.7%).

The most significant impact on the short-term consolidated CPI for June 2021 was due to a decrease in prices for food and non-alcoholic beverages (-0.41 p.p.), which is largely due to a seasonal decrease in prices for fruits and vegetables, as well as for vegetable oil. certain types of dairy products and eggs. The most significant contribution to the growth of the aggregate indicator was made by price changes in the transport sector (+0.06 percentage points), as well as for household items, household appliances and current housing maintenance (+0.05 percentage points). The impact of price changes in other sections was less significant (from 0.01 pp to 0.02 p.p.).

Leadership in terms of contribution to the growth of the consolidated CPI for January-June 2021 also belongs to food products and non-alcoholic beverages, due to the growth in prices for which the consolidated CPI increased by 2.29 percentage points by December 2020. with an overall increase in the aggregate indicator by 4.4 percentage points. In specific terms, food and nonalcoholic beverages account for over 50% of the total impact of goods and services.

The dominance of the impact of rising prices for food and non-alcoholic beverages also manifested itself in the structure of the annual consolidated CPI for June 2021. These goods accounted for more than 54% of the total impact of goods and services.