Georgetown Consumer Price Index – August/September 2024

At the end of September 2024, the Georgetown Consumer Price Index (CPI) was recorded at 142.81, an increase from 142.15 at the end of August 2024, indicating a monthly inflation rate of 0.5 percent. The primary contributors to this increase were the Food and Transport & Communication categories, which rose by 0.9 percent and 0.1 percent, respectively.

The rise in the Food category was significantly influenced by a 5.5 percent increase in prices for Vegetables & Vegetable Products, along with smaller increases in Oil & Fats (excluding Butter) at 0.3 percent, and 0.1 percent increases in Condiments & Spices, Cereal & Cereal Products, and Non-Alcoholic Beverages. In the Non-Food category, the Communication subcategory also saw a 0.5 percent increase. However, this overall increase in the Food category was partially offset by declines in Pulses & Pulse Products (-0.5 percent), Sugar, Honey & Related Products (-0.2 percent), and Fruits & Fruit Products (-0.1 percent).

Looking at the broader trend over the past 12 months, the CPI increased by 3.4 percent, driven by notable increases in several categories: Food (6.6 percent), Education, Recreation & Cultural Services (3.3 percent), Medical Care & Health Services (1.6 percent), Miscellaneous Goods and Services (1.4 percent), and Housing (0.5 percent). In contrast, the Furniture category experienced a contraction of 1.0 percent during this period.