Food group index up

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32708, 10 September 1971, Page 12

Food group index up

(N.Z. Press Association) WELLINGTON, Sept. 9. The food group index of the Consumers’ Price Index for August, 1971, is 1377 (on base: 1965 equals 1000) compared with 1367 for July, says the Government Statistician. This 10-point increase amounts to a 0.7 per cent increase in the average monthly level of food prices from July to August, 1971. For the month of August, 1971, food prices were 9.5 per cent higher than in August, 1970. The principal contributions to the 10-point rise in the allfoods index came from beef items, 3 points; sheep meats, 1J points; other meat and fish, 1 point; eggs 2} points, and meals away from home, 1} points. The total upward effect of these and other minor increases was off-set by a downward contribution of 1 point from seasonal fruit and vegetables. At the base period—calendar year, 1965-—food represented 30.09, 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 all groups price index being prepared quarterly.