Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- In September 2021, goods and services in the consumer market increased on average by 1.1%. Since the beginning of this year, the increase in prices in the consumer sector amounted to 5.9% with an average monthly value of 0.6%. In annual terms, the CPI growth reached 10.8%, the Statistics Committee of Uzbekistan said in a report.

The short-term consolidated CPI in September 2021 was 0.3 points lower than in September 2020 and 0.2 points lower than in September 2019. The consolidated CPI in annual terms (to the corresponding month of the previous year) for September 2021 was, respectively, 0.9 and 5.2 points lower than in September 2020 and 2019. The level of this indicator for January-September 2021 (compared to December of the previous year) was 0.4 points lower than in JanuarySeptember 2020, and 3.8 points lower than the same indicator for January-September 2019.

The leaders in the growth of prices and tariffs per month in September 2021 were paid services to the population, which on average rose by 1.5%. Food products for the same period added in price by 1.2%, non-food products - by 0.7%. In September 2020, of the three main groups, the leader in the growth of prices and tariffs was food (2.2%), and in September 2019 - paid services (2.0%).

In general, in the first nine months of 2021, food products (6.7%) hold the lead in price growth. Non-food products for the specified period became more expensive by 4.9%, services - by 6.1%. In September 2020, of the three main groups, food products were also the leader in price growth since the beginning of the year (7.5%), while in September 2019 the leading position was occupied by services (13.7%).

In annual terms, food products in September 2021 rose by 14.4%, becoming the leader in price growth among the three main groups. Since September 2020, non-food products have increased in price by 7.7%, services - by 8.7%. In September last year, of the three main groups, the leadership in terms of price growth in annual terms also belonged to food products (17.7%), and in September 2019 - to services (19.5%).

In September 2021, due to the rise in prices for food products, the consolidated CPI for the month increased by 0.5 p.p., for non-food products - by 0.2 p.p. The growth in tariffs for services added another 0.4 p.p. to the consolidated indicator.

The dominant influence of price changes on food products was also manifested in the structure of the consolidated CPI in annual terms for September 2021. The increase in their prices increased this indicator by 6.1 p.p. (over 56% of the total impact of goods and services). At the same time, compared to last month, there was a decrease in the contribution of both food and non-food products (respectively by 0.4 and 0.1 p.p.) and an increase in the impact of services (by 0.2 p.p.).

The share of the contribution of the growth in food prices in the total increase in the consolidated CPI in January-September of this year reached 47.5% of the total increase in the consolidated CPI (against 47.9% in August this year). Non-food products accounted for 28.6%, services - 24.1% of the total contribution of all goods and services covered by price monitoring.

The increase in the CPI for food products in September this year for the month was 1.2%. This is 1 point lower than in September 2020 and 0.2 points lower than in September 2019. The growth in the annual CPI in this group in September 2021 was at the level of 14.4%. This is, respectively, 3.3 and 3.1 points lower than the same indicator for September 2020 and 2019.

In general, in the first nine months of 2021, food prices increased by 6.7%, which is 0.8 points lower than in the corresponding period of 2020, and 1.7 points lower than in January-September 2019.

The increase in the CPI for non-food products in September this year amounted to 0.7% over the month. This is 0.3 and 0.2 points lower than the same indicator, respectively, in September 2020 and 2019. The growth in the annual CPI in this group in September 2021 reached 7.7%, which is 0.5 points lower than in September last year, and 4.4 points lower than in September 2019. Compared to December 2020, non-food products became more expensive by 4.9%, which is 1.1 points lower than in JanuarySeptember last year, and 3.9 points lower than in the same period in 2019.

The increase in the CPI for services in September this year amounted to 1.5% over the month. This is 1.0 points higher than last September, and 0.5 points lower than the same figure for September 2019. The growth in the annual CPI in this group in September 2021 reached 8.7%, which is 2.8 points lower than in September last year and 10.8 points lower than in September 2019. Compared to December 2020, paid services to the population have become more expensive by 6.1%. This is 1.6 points higher than in January-September 2020, and 7.6 points lower than in the same period in 2019.

Of the main product groups, the top three in terms of price growth for the three quarters of 2021 included fat and oil products (1.2 times), meat products (9.5%), as well as sugar, confectionery and desserts (8.6%). In annual terms, fat and oil products (1.4 times), vegetables, tubers, plantains and legumes (25.9%), fruits and nuts (16.6%), sugar, confectionery and desserts (16.0 %).

In August 2021, among the main foodstuffs (excluding fruit and vegetable products), prices for the month increased most significantly for poultry meat (1.9-2.8%), eggs (2.4%), beef and mutton (1.8% ). Along with this, rice of all sorts and rice chaff on average per month became cheaper by 0.1%.

In relation to December 2020, leading positions in price growth continue to be held by vegetable oil (1.3 times), granulated sugar (16.0%), refined sugar (13.2%), chicken drumsticks and legs (13.0% ). A decrease in prices was recorded for eggs (-13.2%), as well as rice and rice cuts (-1.2%). In annual terms, inflationary processes were most clearly manifested in the growth of prices for cottonseed and sunflower oil, which, respectively, became more expensive by 1.6 and 1.5 times.

Of the fruit and vegetable products, the most significant growth in just a month was for cabbage (28.8%), radish (16.3%), onions (16.2%), eggplants (15.1%), tomatoes (14.0%) and cucumbers (12.4%). The most noticeable price decline was recorded for grapes (-9.3%), carrots (-8.0%), pomegranates and apples (-5.3%). In terms of price increases both from the beginning of the year and in annual terms, carrots are leading by a significant margin (2.5 times since the beginning of the year and 2.3 times by September 2020), and in terms of their decline - Bulgarian pepper (-75.5 % from the beginning of the year and -23.9% by September 2020).

In September this year, for the short-term CPI, the main inflationary factor in Section I “Food and nonalcoholic drinks” was the rise in prices in the groups “Vegetables, tubers, plantains and legumes” and “Meat products”. The increase in prices for the month in these groups, respectively, amounted to 3.8% and 1.8%, which was reflected in the increase in the consolidated CPI by a total of 0.33 percentage points. An increase in prices for milk, other dairy products and eggs by 1.6% led to an increase in the consolidated CPI for the month by another 0.06 percentage points. The restraining factor was the decline in prices for fruits and nuts, which, on average, became cheaper by 1.5%, allowing the aggregate indicator to fall by 0.06 percentage points.

The most significant contribution to the growth of the consolidated CPI for January-September 2021 from the main groups of food and non-alcoholic beverages was made by price changes for meat and fat and oil products. In total, due to the increase in prices for meat, oil and fats, the consolidated CPI since the beginning of the year has increased by 1.57 percentage points, which is 59.7% of the total contribution of food and non-alcoholic beverages and about 26.5% of the total increase in the consolidated CPI.

The most significant contribution to the growth of the consolidated CPI for January-September 2021 from the main groups of food and non-alcoholic beverages was made by price changes for meat and fat and oil products. In total, due to the increase in prices for meat, oil and fats, the consolidated CPI since the beginning of the year has increased by 1.57 percentage points, which is 59.7% of the total contribution of food and non-alcoholic beverages and about 26.5% of the total increase in the consolidated CPI.

In September 2021, monthly rentals for residential premises increased by 2.0%, which is the highest value for the past three quarters. At the same time, prices and tariffs for the main types of utilities remained at the level of the previous month. Over the month, materials for maintenance and repair of housing increased by 0.7%, the services of locksmiths, plumbers, electricians and painters - by 1.6%. Since the beginning of the year, housing maintenance and repair services, as well as the materials used for this, have become respectively more expensive by 6.3% and 4.7% (12.5% and 4.6% by September 2020), rent housing increased by 4.3%, for cold water supply and sewerage - 1.6 times (1.9 times), for collection and disposal of garbage - by 3.7% (3.7%), maintenance in apartment buildings - by 1.8% (1.9%).

In this section, the top three leaders in price growth for the month in September 2021 included services for sewing textiles used in households (2.7%), repairing and installing household appliances (1.8%), washing and cleaning carpets and carpet products (1.7%). In general, for the three quarters of 2021, the first in terms of price growth belongs to disinfection and pest control services (15.2%), and in annual terms - to the services of washing and cleaning carpets and rugs (15.5%).

Out of the main observed groups of goods and services in the healthcare sector, in September 2021, dental services became more expensive by 1.3%, inpatient treatment and rehabilitation services - by 1.2%, services for diagnostic imaging and medical laboratories, as well as ancillary products - by 1.0% medicines and medical products - by 0.6% on average. Diagnostic imaging and medical laboratory services became the leaders in price growth both from the beginning of the year (9.5%) and in relation to September 2020 (13.9%).

In September 2021, the key inflationary factor in the Transport section was the rise in prices for fuel and lubricants, which rose 1.6% over the month. At the same time, gasoline increased in price by 1.1% over the month, propane - by 6.9%. Maintenance and repair of personal vehicles for the same period became more expensive by 2.0%, courier services and services for the delivery of parcels - by 7.8%, transportation (moving) and storage services, as well as other services related to transport funds - on average by 1.2%. Since the beginning of 2021, the most pronounced growth in prices was for gasoline (28.2%) and propane (27.3%), as well as for maintenance and repair services for personal vehicles (11.0%). In annual terms, inflationary processes were most pronounced in the growth of prices for gasoline and propane (1.4 times).

In September this year, the leaders in price growth were again services for the repair of information and communication equipment (3.3% per month). Over the same period, equipment for receiving, recording and reproducing sound and images has on average become more expensive by 1.4%, complex telecommunications services - by 0.9%, fixed and mobile telephone equipment - within 0.3-0.9%. By a significant margin, in terms of price increases both in general for the first three quarters of 2021 and in relation to September 2020, services for the repair of information and communication equipment are leading (11.3% and 17.8%, respectively), as well as equipment for receiving, recording and reproducing sound and images (9.8% and 11.8%, respectively).

In September of this year, in the section "Recreation, Sports and Culture" in terms of price increases per month, by a significant margin, are the services for renting textbooks and teaching aids (25.3%), as well as services of cinemas (13.2%). These two types of services are also leaders in price growth relative to the end of 2020 (price increases by 25.3% and 23.4%, respectively). In annual terms, the lease of textbooks and teaching aids, which, compared to September last year, have become 1.7 times more expensive,

In the field of education, not divided by levels, in September 2021, an increase in tuition fees for language and similar courses (by 5.8% on average), as well as for tutoring services (3.6%) was noted. The leaders in the growth of prices in January-September 2021 are training services in state universities on a contract basis (11.1%), and in relation to September 2020 - training services on courses (15.7%).

Over the month, ready-made food in cafes and canteens has become more expensive within 1.5-1.8%, in fast food establishments - by 1.5%. Services of hotels, hotels and similar hotel services for the same period on average in the republic increased by 3.1%, while the cost of services of recreation centers increased by only 0.7%. Leadership in price growth for both January-September of this year and in relation to September 2020 is held by the services of recreation centers, which, respectively, have risen in price by 18.2% and 21.0%.

The cost of insurance services has remained stable over the past twelve months. In the sphere of financial services, in September of this year, an increase in fees for remittances by 0.1% was registered (the impact of changes in the exchange rate of the national currency against the US dollar). At the same time, since the beginning of 2021, financial services have become more expensive by 0.4%.

In annual terms, the increase in prices for financial services was fixed at 1.0%, which was influenced by an increase in the cost of services of banking institutions by 2.6%, fees for money transfers - by 3.8%, as well as a decrease in fees for transferring funds through electronic payment systems - by 5.0%.

In September 2021, among household goods and services, as well as other personal items, as in the previous month, hairdressing services (3.2%) held the lead in price growth over the month. Among other services, the most significant increase in prices for legal services (10.2%), which, in no small measure, is associated with an increase in the minimum wage and the base calculated value. The leading position in the growth of prices in January-September 2021 is occupied by legal services (22.8%), and compared to September last year, hairdressing services have become more expensive than others (21.6%).

The most significant impact on the short-term consolidated CPI for September 2021 was due to the increase in prices for food and non-alcoholic beverages (0.46 p.p.), which is largely due to the increase in prices for meat and fruit and vegetable products.

Food inflation leads in terms of its contribution to the growth of the consolidated CPI for JanuarySeptember 2021. Due to the growth in prices for food and non-alcoholic beverages, the consolidated CPI for the beginning of the year increased by 2.63 percentage points. with an overall increase of 5.9 p.p. In specific terms, food and nonalcoholic beverages account for about 44.4% of the total impact of goods and services.

In September 2021, food and non-alcoholic beverages accounted for over 53% of the total increase in the consolidated CPI in annual terms, which allows us to conclude that food inflation continues to dominate in the structure of the annual consolidated CPI.