Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- In August 2021, goods and services in the consumer market in Uzbekistan increased on average by 0.5%. Since the beginning of this year, the increase in prices in the consumer sector amounted to 4.8% with an average monthly value of 0.6%. In annual terms, the CPI growth reached 11.1%.

The short-term consolidated CPI in August 2021 was at the same level as in August 2020 and 2.4 points lower than in August 2019. The consolidated CPI in annual terms (to the corresponding month of the previous year) for August 2021 was, respectively, 0.6 and 5.4 points lower than in August 2020 and 2019. The level of this indicator for January-August 2021 (compared to December of the previous year) was at the same level as in August 2020, and 3.4 points lower than the same indicator for January-August 2019

Changes . in food prices continued to have a decisive impact on the aggregate indicator in the short term. Thus, in August of this year, the increase in food prices allowed the short-term consolidated CPI to increase by 0.29 percentage points. The contribution of the rise in prices for non-food products to the growth of the consolidated CPI in the short term in August 2021 reached 0.21 percentage points. The increase in prices and tariffs for services in August 2021 added another 0.04 percentage points to the consolidated CPI for the month.

The dominant influence of price changes on food products also manifested itself in the structure of the consolidated CPI in annual terms for August 2021. The rise in prices for them increased this indicator by 6.5 percentage points. (about 59.0% of the total impact of goods and services).

The share of the contribution of the growth in food prices in the total increase in the consolidated CPI in January-August this year reached 47.9% of the total increase in the consolidated CPI (against 47.3% in January-July this year). Non-food products accounted for 30.3%, services - 21.8% of the total contribution of all goods and services covered by price monitoring.

The increase in the CPI for food products in August this year for the month amounted to 0.7%. In August 2020, this indicator was 0.3%, and in August 2019, the increase in this indicator was more pronounced and reached 2.3%. The growth in the annual CPI in this group in August 2021 was 15.5%. This is, respectively, 1.3 and 4.2 points lower than the same indicator for August 2020 and 2019. In general, in the first eight months of 2021, food prices increased by 5.4%, which is 0.2 points higher than in the corresponding period of 2020, and 1.5 points lower than in January-August 2019.

The increase in the CPI for non-food products in August this year amounted to 0.6% for the month. This is 0.2 and 1.5 points lower than the same indicator, respectively, in August 2020 and 2019. The growth of the annual CPI in this group in August 2021 reached 8.0%, which is equivalent to the indicator for August last year, and 3.5 points lower than in August 2019. Relative to December 2020, non-food products became more expensive by 4.2%, which is 0.7 points lower than in JanuaryAugust last year, and 3.6 points lower than in the same period of 2019.

In August 2021, services rose in price by 0.2% over a month. This is, respectively, 0.2 and 5.4 points lower than in August 2020 and 2019. The annual CPI in this group in August 2021 reached 107.6% against 107.5% in August 2020 and 118.6% in August 2019. Since the beginning of 2021, services have become more expensive by 4.5%, which is 0.5 points higher than in JanuaryAugust last year and 7.0 points lower than the increase in prices for this group in January-August 2019.

The increase in prices for vegetables and meat products significantly affected the short-term CPI for August 2021 in the section “Food and non-alcoholic beverages”. Meat for the month has become more expensive by 2.6%, vegetables, fruit tubers, plantains and legumes - by 2.5%. A decrease in prices, as in the previous month, was recorded for fruits and nuts (-3.7%).

The top three in terms of price growth in January-August 2021 included fat and oil products (1.2 times), sugar, confectionery and desserts (7.9%) and meat products (7.6%). In annual terms, fat and oil products (1.5 times), vegetables, tubers and plantains and legumes (24.7%), fruits and nuts (21.3%), meat (15.9%) became much more expensive.

In August 2021, among the main foodstuffs (excluding fruits and vegetables), the most noticeable price increases for the month were for poultry meat (2.2-3.3%), beef (2.6-3.2%), mutton (2.2 %) and fish (1.5%). Along with this, eggs on average per month became cheaper in the republic by 0.9%, sunflower oil - by 0.5%. In relation to December 2020, vegetable oil (1.3 times), peas (17.6%), and granulated sugar (15.6%) continue to hold the leading positions in price growth. In annual terms, inflationary processes were most clearly manifested in the growth of prices for cottonseed and sunflower oil, which, on average, became 1.6 times more expensive, as well as for sugar (1.3 times).

Among fruit and vegetable products, the most significant price increases over the month were for cucumbers (26.0%), tomatoes (13.5%) and lemons (8.9%). The prices for carrots fell more significantly than others (-3.6%). In terms of price growth both from the beginning of the year and in annual terms, carrots are leading by a significant margin (2.7 times).

Among food products and nonalcoholic beverages, the most significant impact on the prevailing short-term consolidated CPI in August this year was due to the increase in prices for meat products. Thus, due to the increase in meat prices, the consolidated CPI for the month increased by 0.24 percentage points. The increase in prices for fruits and nuts allowed the consolidated CPI to rise by another 0.11 percentage points. The decline in prices for vegetables, tubers, plantains and legumes reduced the aggregate indicator by 0.16 percentage points.

The most significant contribution to the growth of the consolidated CPI for January-August 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 rise in prices for meat, oil and fats, the consolidated CPI since the beginning of the year has increased by 1.38 percentage points. A significant contribution was made by the increase in prices for fruits and nuts (+0.16 p.p.), as well as for sugar, confectionery and desserts (+0.23 p.p.). The contribution of changes in prices for milk, other dairy products and eggs (0.03 p.p.) was less significant.

In August of this year, alcoholic beverages became more expensive by 0.4% over the month, including wine - by 0.6%, beer - by 0.5%, spirits and liqueurs - by 0.4%. Tobacco products also rose in price by 0.4% during this period. By the level of December 2020, alcoholic beverages increased in price by 5.1%, including alcoholic beverages and liqueurs - by 5.5%, beer - by 4.3%, wine - by 3.5%. Over the same period, tobacco products became more expensive by 10.1%. In annual terms, alcoholic beverages rose in price by an average of 8.7%, tobacco products - by 14.2%.

In August 2021, prices and tariffs for housing services, water, electricity, gas and other types of household fuel increased by 0.1% over the month. Rent for residential premises for the month increased by 0.1%, materials for maintenance and repair of housing - by 0.2%, services of locksmiths, plumbers, electricians and painters - by 0.6%. 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 4.7% and 3.9%, (12.6% and 4.0% by August 2020), rent increased by 2.3%, for cold water supply and sewerage - 1.6 times (1.9 times), for collection and disposal of garbage - by 3.7% (3.7%), service in apartment buildings - by 1.8% (1.9%).

Among the goods and services in this section, prices increased most significantly in August of this year for services in sewing textiles used in households (1.1%), other non-durable household goods (0.9%), as well as for large kitchen appliances (0.5%). In general, in January-August 2021, housekeeping services and household services (9.0%), including disinfection and pest control (14.2%), continue to lead in price growth. In annual terms, leading positions in terms of price growth also belong to household and household services (15.4%).

Of the main monitored groups of goods and services in the healthcare sector in August 2021, prices for diagnostic imaging services and medical laboratories increased most significantly over the month (0.4%). Since the beginning of the year, the most tangible rise in prices was noted for the services of medical laboratories (8.7%) and inpatient treatment (7.9%). Compared to August 2020, services for diagnostic imaging and medical laboratories (14.2%), dental preventive services (12.5%), outpatient treatment and rehabilitation services (12.3%) have risen more significantly than others.

As a month earlier, the key inflationary factor in this section in August 2021 was the increase in prices for propane, which for the month on average in the republic became more expensive by 18.7 %, and gasoline, which increased in price by 4.3 %. The limiting factor was the decrease in prices for methane (-0.5 %), as well as the cost of air transport services (-0.6%), which, according to the pricing policy of the companies providing this service, is due to the strengthening of the position of the national currency against the euro. Since the beginning of 2021, the most pronounced growth in prices was for gasoline (26.9%) and propane (19.1%), as well as for maintenance and repair services for personal vehicles (8.8%). In annual terms, inflationary processes were most clearly manifested in the growth of prices for gasoline (1.4 times), services for the maintenance and repair of personal vehicles (18.2%).

In August this year, the cost of services for the repair of information and communication equipment for the month rose by 1.1%, peripheral equipment and its consumable components - by 0.3%, mobile telephone equipment - by 0.5%. In general, in January-August 2021, equipment for receiving, recording and reproducing sound and images (8.3%), as well as services for the repair and rental of information and communication equipment (7.8%), went up more significantly than others. 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 (15.0%).

In August of this year, the main increase in prices in the section "Recreation, Sports and Culture" was recorded for park services (2.5%), as well as for office supplies and drawing materials (1.7%). Compared to December 2020, the highest price increases were recorded for newspapers and periodicals (15.1%), as well as for park services (14.0%). In annual terms, the leadership in the growth of prices continues to be held by the services of renting textbooks and teaching aids, which, as compared to August last year, increased in price by 36.0%.

In August of this year, a number of regions registered an increase in the cost of attending language and similar training courses (on average in the republic by 0.4%) and tutoring services (0.2%). Since the beginning of this year, the services of tutors in the country on average have increased in price by 5.2%, training on courses - by 4.4%. Over the same period, preschool education services have risen in price by 13.1%, including in state preschool educational institutions - by 15.0%, non-state - by 3.2%. The leaders in the growth of prices in annual terms are the services of state preschool educational organizations (15.0%), while tuition fees in state universities on a contract basis, on the contrary, decreased by 5.8%.

Over the month, ready-made food in cafes and canteens has become more expensive within 1.0-1.5%, in fast food establishments - by 1.7%. Services of hotels, hotels and similar hotel services for the same period on average in the republic increased by 0.5%, while the cost of services of recreation centers remained at the level of the last month.

Leadership in price growth in January-August of this year is held by the services of recreation centers, which have risen in price by 17.3% since the beginning of the year. Leadership in price growth in annual terms for August 2021 also belongs to the services of recreation centers (1.2 times). Prepared food in canteens and cafes has become more expensive as compared to August last year by 15.1% and 13.2%, in fast food establishments - by 17.4%. Hotel services, hotels and similar hotel services, compared to August 2020, have become more expensive by 8.7%.

In August this year, the cost of insurance services for the month did not undergo significant changes. In the field of financial services, an increase in fees for remittances by 0.1% was recorded (the impact of changes in the exchange rate of the national currency against the US dollar). Since the beginning of 2021, the cost of insurance services has also been stable, while financial services have become more expensive by 0.4%.

In annual terms, the increase in prices for financial services was fixed at 1.1%, which was influenced by an increase in the cost of services of banking institutions by 2.6%, fees for money transfers - by 4.3%, as well as a decrease in fees for transferring funds through electronic payment systems - by 5.0%.

Among household goods and services, the leadership in price growth belongs to the services of hairdressing salons, which in August this year, on average in the republic, became more expensive by 0.9%. In addition, services for the repair and rental of jewelry, wrist, pocket and other watches rose 0.6% over the month. In general, in January-August 2021, prices increased most noticeably for hairdressing services (13.0%), funeral services (11.7%), legal services (9.5%), photocopying of documents (8.4%) and watch repair (7.6%). The top three in terms of price growth in annual terms included hairdressing services (22.8%), photocopying of documents (18.5%) and watch repair (16.9%).

The most significant impact on the short-term consolidated CPI for August 2021 was due to the increase in prices for food and non-alcoholic beverages (0.26 p.p.), which is largely due to the increase in prices for meat and vegetable products. The most significant contribution to the growth of the aggregate indicator was made by price changes in the transport sector (+0.12 p.p.), as well as for clothing and footwear, household items, household appliances and current housing maintenance (+0.03 p.p. each). The impact of price changes in other sections was less significant and was in the range of 0.01-0.02 p.p.

After two months of a decrease in average prices in the section "Food and non-alcoholic beverages" (in June and July for a month, 1.0% each), in August 2021 their increase was observed. Also, this section continues to hold the lead in terms of contribution to the growth of the consolidated CPI by December 2020 (+2.14 p.p. with a total increase of 4.77 p.p.). In specific terms, food and nonalcoholic beverages account for about 44.9% 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 for August 2021. These goods accounted for about 56.5% of the total impact of goods and services.