Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- In May 2021, goods and services in the consumer market of Uzbekistan increased on average by 0.5%, the State Statistics Committee of Uzbekistan said in a monthly report. 

Since the beginning of this year, their prices have increased by 4.6% with an average monthly value of 0.9%. In annual terms, the CPI growth reached 10.9%.

The short-term consolidated CPI in May 2021 was 0.2 points higher than in May last year and 0.2 points lower than in May 2019. The consolidated CPI in annual terms (to the corresponding month of the previous year) for May 2021 was 3.1 points lower than in May last year, and 2.8 points lower than in May 2019. This indicator for January-May 2021 (compared to December of the previous year) was 0.2 points lower than the same indicator for January-May last year, and 1.4 points lower than in May 2019.

The contribution of price changes for food and non-food products, as well as for paid services to the population in the increase in the short-term consolidated CPI for May 2021 is in relatively equal proportions with a slight margin in favor of food products. Thus, due to the rise in prices for food products, the aggregate indicator for the month increased by 0.20 percentage points. Thus, the share of the impact of food products accounted for 40.0% of the total contribution of price changes to all observed goods and services. The increase in prices for non-food goods added 0.14 percentage points to the consolidated CPI for the month. (28.0% of the total influence), and due to the increase in prices and tariffs for services, the aggregate indicator increased by another 0.16 percentage points (32.0% of the total influence).

In the structure of the consolidated CPI in annual terms for May 2021, the leadership continues to be held by food products, the growth of prices for which increased this indicator by 6.0 p.p. (about 55.7% of the total impact of goods and services). The dominance of food inflation was also characteristic of the annual rate in May 2020 and 2019.

The share of the contribution of the growth in food prices in the total increase in the consolidated CPI in January-May this year reached 61.6% of the total increase in the consolidated CPI (against 64.0% in January-April this year). Non-food products and paid services shared the influence in approximately equal shares (18.8% and 19.6%, respectively).

The increase in the CPI for food products in May this year amounted to 0.5% for the month. At the same level, there was an increase in prices in May 2019, while in the same period of 2020, a decrease in prices for food products by 0.2% was recorded. The growth of the annual CPI in this group in May 2021 was at the level of 14.4%. This is, respectively, 3.8 and 1.9 points lower than the same indicator for May 2020 and 2019. In January-May 2021, food prices increased by 6.7%, which is 0.8 points lower than in the corresponding period of 2020, and 1.2 points lower than in January-May 2019.

The increase in the CPI for non-food products in May this year amounted to 0.4% for the month. In May last year, this indicator was 0.2 points higher, and in May 2019 - 0.3 points higher than in May of this year. The growth of the annual CPI in this group in May 2021 reached 8.4%, which is 1.0 points lower than the figure for May last year, and 2.8 points lower than in May 2019. Relative to December 2020, non-food products became more expensive by 2.5%, which is 0.5 points lower than in January-May last year, and 2.1 points lower than in the same period in 2019.

In May 2021, services rose in price by 0.7% over a month. This is 0.1 points lower than in May last year and 0.8 points lower than in May 2019. The annual CPI in this group in May 2021 was 108.5%, against 113.0% in May 2020 and 112.5% in May 2019. In the first five months of 2021, services became more expensive by 3.9%, which is 1.4 points higher than in January-May last year and 0.7 points lower than the increase in prices for this group in JanuaryMay 2019.

Among food products and nonalcoholic beverages, in May 2021, fruits and nuts are in the lead by a significant margin, which increased in price by 8.9% over the month. In addition, sugar, confectionery and desserts (1.3%), as well as fish and other seafood (1.1%) surpassed the 1% line of price growth. A decrease in prices was recorded for vegetables, tubers, plantains and legumes (-7.3%), as well as for fat and oil products (-0.6%).

Among the main groups of food and nonalcoholic beverages, fat-and-oil products (26.1%) became the leaders in price growth in JanuaryMay 2021. In addition, the top three included fruits and nuts (20.6%), as well as sugar, confectionery and desserts (6.7%). In annual terms, fat-and-oil products (1.5 times), sugar, confectionery and desserts (15.8%), vegetables, tubers and plantains and legumes (13.1%), meat products (14.5%), milk, other dairy products and eggs (13.1%) became significantly more expensive.

In May 2021, sugar (2.5%), live, fresh, chilled fish (1.5%), buckwheat (1.3%), beef with bones (1.1%), lamb (0.9%), boneless beef (0.8%), milk (0.5%) rose the most significantly among the main food products (excluding fruit and vegetable products) for the month. A decrease in prices for the month was recorded for cottonseed (-1.5%) and sunflower (-0.2%) oils, oat (-0.3%) and semolina (-0.1%) cereals. In seven regions, there was a decrease in egg prices (in the range from -0.4% to -2.5%), in six regions - their growth (in the range of 0.6% - 1.6%).

In relation to December 2020, sunflower (35.4%) and cottonseed (32.2%) oils, as well as granulated sugar (13.7%), continue to hold the leading positions in price growth. In annual terms, inflationary processes were also most clearly manifested in the growth of prices for cottonseed and sunflower oil, which on average became 1.7 times more expensive.

Of the fruit and vegetable products, the most significant growth in the month was for carrots (30.2%), beets (22.4%) and apples (16.7%). The most significant price reductions were recorded for fresh cucumbers and tomatoes (-62.8% and -40.4%), bell peppers (-29.4%). Since the beginning of the year, prices for carrots (1.6 times), beets and pumpkins (1.5 times) have risen more than others, fresh cucumbers (-72.7%) and tomatoes (-13.8%) have fallen in price most of all. The leader in the growth of prices in annual terms was the carrot (1.8 times).

In May of this year, the dominant inflationary factor among foodstuffs and non-alcoholic beverages was the rise in prices for fruits and nuts. Thus, due to the increase in prices for them, the consolidated CPI for the month increased by 0.38 percentage points. A significant contribution was also made by the increase in prices for meat products (+0.07 p.p.), as well as sugar, confectionery and desserts (+0.04 p.p.). The restraining factor was the decline in prices for vegetables, tubers, plantains and legumes, as well as fat and oil products. In total, this reduced inflationary pressure by 0.35 p.p.

The most significant contribution to the growth of the consolidated CPI for January-May 2021 from the main groups of food and non-alcoholic beverages was made by price changes for fruit and vegetable products. In total, due to the increase in prices for goods in this group, the consolidated CPI since the beginning of the year has increased by 1.08 percentage points, which is about 40% of the total impact of food and non-alcoholic beverages and over 23% of the total impact of goods and services. A significant contribution was also made by the increase in prices for fat and oil products (+0.77 p.p., or 28.4% of the impact of food and non-alcoholic beverages).

Alcohol and tobacco products in May 2021 went up in price by 0.3% over the month. By the level of December 2020, tobacco products became more expensive by 6.9%, alcoholic beverages - by an average of 4.2%. In annual terms, tobacco products increased in price by 12.7%, alcohol - by 9.1%.

In May 2021, prices and tariffs for housing services, water, electricity, gas and other types of household fuels did not change significantly. Their slight decrease was recorded in the group of materials for housing maintenance and repair (-0.1%), which is associated with a decrease in prices for cement (-1.5%) and window glass (-0.3%). The services of locksmiths, plumbers, electricians and painters, on the contrary, became more expensive by 0.3% over the month. Since the beginning of the year, materials for maintenance and repair of housing have risen in price by 2.9% (10.4% against May 2020), services for maintenance and repair of housing - by 2.8% (13.9%), payments for cold water supply and sewerage increased 1.6 times (1.9 times), service in apartment buildings - by 1.7% (2.2%), waste collection and disposal - by 1.1% (3.2%).

In May of this year, services for sewing textiles used in households, as well as for washing and cleaning carpets and rugs increased by 0.9%, kitchen utensils, detergents and cleaning products - by 0.4%, large and small household appliances - in the range from 0.1% to 0.4%, other non-durable household goods - by 0.6%, household furniture - by 0.2%, services for its repair and installation - by 0.4%. In general, in the first five months of 2021, housekeeping and household services (7.4%), including disinfection and pest control (13.2%), continue to hold the lead in price growth. In annual terms, leading positions in price growth also belong to household and household services (19.3%).

Of the main types of goods and services observed in the healthcare sector, in May 2021, prices increased more significantly than others for the services of therapeutic massage (1.8%), diagnostic imaging (1.1%), inpatient medical and rehabilitation services (1.0 %), as well as dental services (0.9%). 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 and medical laboratories (6.5%). Compared to May 2020, services for diagnostic imaging and medical laboratories (14.9%), inpatient treatment and rehabilitation services (14.4%), outpatient treatment and rehabilitation services (13.6%) became significantly more expensive.

The key inflationary factor in this section was the rise in gasoline prices, which on average in the republic became more expensive by 3.7%. Propane increased in price by 3.2% over the month, methane, on the contrary, became cheaper by 0.5%. The cost of services for the maintenance and repair of vehicles increased by 1.1%, lubricants rose by 0.4%. Delivery services rose 1.8%. The cost of passenger transport services increased by 0.9%. At the same time, the most significant increase in prices for air and train tickets in the observed directions (by 2.6% and 0.8%, respectively), as well as the cost of travel in intercity (2.1%) and urban (1.5%) buses. Since the beginning of 2021, the most pronounced growth in prices was for gasoline (14.2%), and in annual terms - for air passenger transport services (1.4 times).

In May of this year, in the section “Information and Communication”, fixed (stationary) telephone equipment became more expensive by 0.6% over the month, services for the repair and rental of information and communication equipment - by 0.5%, mobile telephone equipment, processing equipment information, as well as reception, recording and reproduction of sound and images - by 0.3%. In general, in January-May 2021, the cost of services for the repair of information and communication equipment (5.1%), complex telecommunications services (3.9%), as well as prices for equipment for receiving, recording and playing sound and images (4.6%). 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 (15.4%).

In May this year, the main increase in prices in the section "Recreation, Sports and Culture" was recorded for services in the field of photography, as well as gardening products, plants and flowers (0.7% each). Stationery and drawing materials, as well as equipment for sports, tourism and outdoor recreation increased in price by 0.3% over the month. The rise in prices for other goods and services in this section was less significant. Compared to the end of last year, the highest price increases were recorded for newspapers and periodicals (14.6%). In annual terms, the leadership in terms of price growth belongs to the services of renting textbooks and teaching aids, which, as compared to May last year, increased in price by 36.0%.

Since May of this year, on average, the size of the parental payment for children attending state preschool educational organizations (ECE) has increased by an average of 15.0%. In eight regions, fees for visiting non-state preschool educational institutions increased in the range from 1.4% to 4.8% (taking into account the stability of prices in other regions, the average increase in prices for this type of service in the republic was 1.6%). The cost of tutoring services increased by 1.0% over the month, and the cost of training courses increased by 0.5%. Since the beginning of this year, the services of tutors in the country on average have increased in price by 4.2%, training on courses - by 3.5%, services of state and non-state preschool educational institutions - by 15.0% and 3.0%, respectively. The leaders in the growth of prices in annual terms are the services of state preschool educational institutions (15.0%), for training in language and similar courses (8.8%), as well as the services of tutors (8.6%)

Over the month, ready-made food in cafes and canteens has become more expensive within 0.2-0.4%. Services of hotels, hotels and similar hotel services for the same period became cheaper by 0.2%, and the cost of services of recreation centers remained at the level of the previous month.

The leader in price growth in January-May 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 May 2021 also belongs to the services of recreation centers (24.3%). Prepared food in canteens and cafes became more expensive as compared to May last year by 15.4% and 13.7%, in fast food establishments - by 16.1%. Hotel services, hotels and similar hotel services have become more expensive by 10.6% compared to May 2020.

The cost of insurance and financial services for the month did not change significantly. Only an increase in fees for money transfers by 0.6% was registered, which is associated with a change in the exchange rate of the national currency against the US dollar. During January-May 2021, the cost of insurance services was also stable, while financial services became more expensive by 1.4%.

In annual terms, the increase in prices for financial services was recorded at around 6.2%, which was influenced by an increase in the cost of services of banking institutions by 1.1%, fees for money transfers - by 4.0%, 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 1.2%, personal service establishments - by 0.6%, appliances, products and personal goods (excluding electrical ones) - by an average of 0.6%. Watch repair services in May rose by 0.8%, travel goods, products for children and other personal items not attributed to other categories - by 0.3%. Among other services, the most significant increase in prices in May was for the services of photocopying documents (1.3%). In general, in January-May 2021, ritual services (11.7%), legal services (9.5%) and hairdressing salons (9.3%) were included in the top three leaders in terms of price and tariff growth in this section.

The most significant impact on the growth of the short-term consolidated CPI for May 2021 was exerted by the growth in prices for food and non-alcoholic beverages (0.20 p.p. with an overall increase in the consolidated CPI by 0.5 p.p.). The second place in terms of contribution to the growth of the aggregate indicator was shared by price changes in the spheres of education and transport (0.09 pp each). The rise in prices in the healthcare sector added an additional 0.04 pp to the consolidated CPI. The impact of price changes in other sections was less significant (from 0.01 p.p. to 0.03 p.p.).

In specific terms, the share of the impact of price changes on food and non-alcoholic beverages accounts for 39.2% of the total impact. The share of the contribution of price increases in the spheres of education and transport account for 17.6% of the total impact. The contribution of price increases in the healthcare sector was 7.8% of the total impact.

Leadership in terms of contribution to the growth of the consolidated CPI for January-May 2021 also belongs to food and non-alcoholic beverages, due to the growth in prices for which the consolidated CPI increased by 2.72 percentage points by December 2020. with an overall increase in the aggregate indicator by 4.6 percentage points. In specific terms, food and nonalcoholic beverages account for slightly less than 60% 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. These goods accounted for over 50% of the total impact of goods and services.