FOOD PRICE RISE

Press, Volume C, Issue 29609, 4 September 1961, Page 14

FOOD PRICE RISE

30 Points For Month

(N Z. Press Association) WELLINGTON, Sept. 3. Between July and August, 1961, the all food group of the consumers' price index rose by 30 points, said the Government Statistician (Mr J. V. T. Baker) today. Of this increase in the all food index, two points were contributed by the meat and fish sub-index. There was no movement in the other foods sub-index. The net increase was recorded as 30 points.

Increased fresh meat prices were the main contributors to the increase in meat and fish sub-index. Prices for inclusion in the index relate to mid-month and therefore the seasonal fall in egg prices on August 26 came too late to affect the index for August. This delayed reduction in egg prices was the main contributor to the upward movement in the fruits, vegetables and eggs sub-index. There were also smaller contributions to this upward movement from seasonal fruits and vegetables and from higher onion prices. At the base period—calendar year 1955—f00d represented 32.26 per cent, of the total expenditure covered by the consumers’ price index. This is the only group for which prices are collected each month, the complete allgroups index being a quarterly compilation.