Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- In March 2022, goods and services in the consumer market of Uzbekistan became 1,5%. more expensive on average.

In January-March 2022, the increase in prices in the consumer sector amounted to 2,9% with an average monthly value of 1,0%. In annual terms (relative to March 2021), the increase in consumer prices reached 10,5%.

The short-term composite CPI in March 2022 was 0,7 points higher than in March 2021 and 0,2 points higher than in March 2020

The increase in consumer prices in January-March 2022 was 0,4 points higher than in the first quarter of 2021, and 0,1 points higher than in the same period in 2020.

The annual CPI for March 2022 was 0,4 points lower than in March 2021 and 3,1 points lower than in March 2020.

The leaders in the growth of prices and tariffs in March 2022, as well as a month earlier, were food products, which increased in price by an average of 2,5% per month.

Non-food products over the same period increased in price by 1,1%, paid services - only by 0,4%.

As in the previous month, food products remain leaders in terms of price growth in annual terms. Thus, in March 2022, compared to March 2021, they increased in price by an average of 14,5%. Non-food products and paid services for the same period, respectively, became more expensive by 8,2% and 6,5%.

Leadership in price growth in January-March of this year is also held by food products. Since the beginning of this year, they have risen in price by 4,4%. This is followed by non-food products, which have become more expensive by 2,1%. over the specified period. The increase in prices for paid services to the population amounted to 1,5%.

Having reached 2,5%, in March 2022, the short-term CPI growth for food products became the largest indicator for March over the past three years. Thus, the increase in consumer prices for food products for the month in March 2021 was 1,3 points, and in March 2020 it was 0,6 points lower, than in March 2022.

The increase in consumer prices for food products in January-March 2022 was 1,3 points higher, than in the first three months of 2021, and 0,1 points higher, than in the same period in 2020. The annual CPI for food products in March 2022 was 0,6 points higher, than in March 2021 and 1,9 points lower than in March 2020.

The comparison showed that the short-term CPI for non-food items in March 2022 was 0,5 points higher, than in March 2021 and 0,2 points higher , than in March 2020.

The increase in consumer prices for non-food products in JanuaryMarch 2022 was 0,4 points higher, than in the first quarter of 2020 and 2021. The annual non-food CPI for March 2022 was 0,6 points lower, than in March 2021 and 1,8 points lower than in March 2020.

A comparison of short-term CPIs for services for March of the last three years showed that in March 2022 the indicated indicator was equivalent to the indicator for March 2021, and 0,4 points lower, than in March 2020.

The increase in consumer prices and tariffs for services in JanuaryMarch 2022 was 1,2 points lower, than in Q1 2021, and is equivalent to the corresponding indicator for January-March 2020. CPI for paid services for March 2022 in annual terms was 1,8 points lower, than in March 2021 and 7,6 points lower than in March 2020.

In March 2022, due to the increase in prices for food products, the consolidated CPI for the month increased by 1,04 p.p.*, non-food products - by 0,40 p.p., services - by 0,09 p.p., The share of food products accounted for 68,0% of the total impact of observed goods and services. The share of non-food products was 26,1%, services – 5,9%.

In the structure of the annual consolidated CPI for March 2022, the dominance of food inflation was clearly manifested. Due to the increase in food prices, the consolidated CPI in annual terms for March 2022 increased by 6,11 p.p., which is 58,4% of the total increase. Non-food products accounted for 2,85 p.p. (27,3%), services – 1,49 p.p. (14,3%).

The consolidated CPI for March 2022 compared to December 2021 was formed under the influence of rising prices for food products (1,84 p.p.), non-food products (0,74 p.p.) and services (0,35 p.p.). Thus, the share of food products accounted for 62,8%, non-food products - 25,3%, services – 11,9% of the total impact of observed goods and services.

Among the sections of the COICOP 2018 of the Republic of Uzbekistan in March 2022, the undisputed leader in terms of price growth for the month was section I. “Food and non-alcoholic drinks” (price increase by 2,5%). Section VII was the second in terms of price growth. "Transport" (1.9%).

The third position was shared by three sections at once: V. “Household items, household appliances and routine maintenance of housing”, VI. "Health" and XI. "Restaurants and hotel services" (1,3% each).

Compared to December 2021, prices increased more significantly in section I. “Food and non-alcoholic drinks” (4,4%), compared to March 2021, their most significant increase was noted in section XI. "Restaurants and hotel services" (15,3%).

In March 2022, the leadership in monthly price growth in this section, as in the first two months of the quarter, belongs to fruits and vegetables, which is largely due to the seasonal factor. Thus, vegetables, tubers, plan-secrets and legumes increased in price by 9,7%, in March of this year, fruits and nuts, on average, became 2,4% more expensive over the same period.

In addition, prices increased significantly for sugar, confectionery and desserts (4,3% per month), oil and fat products (2,4%).

The onepercent mark of increase in prices for the month was also overcome by fish and other seafood (1,7%), cereals and cereals (1,5%), soft drinks, as well as ready-made food products. products and other food products (1,1%).

The short-term CPI for March 2022 was higher than the corresponding indicator for March 2021 and 2020 in almost all groups included in the section, with the exception of meat products, as well as fruits and nuts.

In March 2022, vegetables, tubers, plantains, legumes (34,6%) and oil and fat products (24,2%) continue to hold the leading positions in terms of price growth in annual terms. Sugar, confectionery and desserts close the top three in terms of price growth in annual terms (17,8%).

A ten percent milestone in annual price growth in March of this year was also overcome by fruits and nuts (14,5%), fish and other seafood (12,8%), milk, other dairy products and eggs (10,3%).

With a significant margin in terms of price growth in January-March 2022, fruit and vegetable products are in the lead. Thus, fruits and nuts for the first quarter of this year increased in price by 7,7%, vegetables, tubers, plantains and legumes - by 18,6%.

Of the main food products (excluding fruits and vegetables), granulated sugar (12.8%) leads with a significant margin in terms of price growth for the month. Along with this, the organization of holiday fairs in all regions of the country made it possible to ensure a stable supply of such goods as meat, eggs, vegetable oil, etc. In turn, this had a restraining effect on the average level of prices for them in the republic.

Granulated sugar also took the lead in price growth both in JanuaryMarch 2022 and in annual terms, becoming more expensive in the three months of this year by 14.5%, and relative to March 2021 - by 36.6%.

In March 2022, eggplants (24.8%), onions (24.4%) and cabbage (19.4%) became leaders in terms of price growth for the month from fruit and vegetable products.

The leading position in terms of price reduction for the month belongs to bananas, which became cheaper on average in the republic by 1.7%.

In January-March 2022, eggplants (by 1.7 times), fresh cucumbers, tomatoes and bell peppers (by 1.4 times) became the leaders in price growth am

The leaders in price reduction for the first quarter of this year are tangerines, which have become cheaper by 6.7% over this period.

The top three in terms of price growth in annual terms for March 2022 were white cabbage (2.2 times), eggplant (1.8 times) and carrots (1.7times). The most significant decrease in prices, compared to March last year, was noted for bananas (-18.9%).

Seasonality continues to be a key inflationary factor in section I. Food and non-alcoholic beverages. Due to the increase in prices for fruits and vegetables, the consolidated CPI for the month in total increased by 0.55 p.p. Thus, the share of fruits and vegetables accounted for over 54% of the total contribution of goods included in the section, and slightly less than 36% of the total impact of all observed goods and services. A significant contribution was also made by price changes for cereals and cereals, as well as for sugar, confectionery and desserts (0.12 p.p. each). The increase in prices for oil and fat products added 0.07 p.p. to the consolidated CPI, meat - 0.05 p.p., milk, other dairy products and eggs - 0.04 p.p. The contribution of other groups of goods in this section was less noticeable (total 0.06 p.p.).

The dominance of the influence of seasonal price increases on fruits and vegetables among the goods of section I. “Food and non-alcoholic beverages” also manifested itself in the structure of the CPI for January-March 2022. Due to the increase in prices for fruits and nuts, the consolidated CPI increased by 0.33 p.p. by December 2021, vegetables, tubers, plantains and legumes - by 0.85 p.p.

According to calculations, the contribution of fruit and vegetable products accounted for 67% of the total contribution of the goods of the section, and about 40% of the total contribution of all observed goods and services.

A significant contribution was made by price changes for cereals and cereals (0.23 p.p.), as well as for sugar, confectionery and desserts (0.16 p.p.) The influence of other groups in this section was less significant and increased in total consolidated CPI by 0.20 p.p.

The most significant contribution to the growth of the consolidated CPI for March 2022 compared to March 2021 from the main groups of section I. "Food and non-alcoholic beverages" made price changes for fruits and vegetables, meat, oil and fat products, sugar, confectionery and desserts, as well as for cereals crops and cereals. The total contribution of the listed groups reached 5.01 p.p.

In March 2022, alcoholic beverages became more expensive by 0.7% over the month, including vodka - by 0.9%, wine and beer - by 0.3%, cognac - by 0.2%.

Tobacco products rose in price by 1.0% over the month, including cigarettes - by 0.8%, other tobacco products - by 1.4%.

Compared to December 2021, alcoholic beverages increased in price by 2.1%, including vodka - by 2.7%, beer - by 1.5%, cognac - by 1.1%, wine - by 1.0%. Since the beginning of 2022, tobacco products have become more expensive by 2.0%, including cigarettes - by 2.0%, other tobacco products - by 2.1%.

In annual terms, in terms of price growth, alcoholic beverages are leading (9.9%), while tobacco products have become more expensive by 8.1%.

In March 2022, materials and services for the maintenance and repair of residential premises became more expensive, respectively, by 1.4% and 0.4%. Other services related to the maintenance of residential premises increased in price by 0.8% over the month. The leaders in terms of price growth in January-March 2022 are services for the removal of household waste (3.5%), and in annual terms - services for the maintenance, repair and protection of residential premises (9.9%).

Of the main observed groups of goods and services in the healthcare sector in March 2022, the most significant increase in prices was recorded for medicines (2.1%) and medical products (1.4%).

In general, for the first quarter of this year, the top three in terms of price growth included medicines (3.8%), dental services (3.2%) and services for diagnostic imaging and medical laboratories (2.8%). The leadership in terms of price growth in annual terms belongs to dental services (10.8%).

In March 2022, the leaders in the growth of prices and tariffs for the month were services for training at driver training courses (13.3%), as well as cars (9.2%).

In annual terms, gasoline holds the lead (by 1.4 times).

In March 2022, mobile telephone equipment (2.4%), peripheral equipment and its consumable components (2.3%), as well as equipment for receiving and recording and reproduction of sound and images (1.2%)

In terms of price growth, compared to December last year, mobile telephone equipment is leading (3.4%), and in annual terms - services for the repair and rental of information and communication equipment (13.2%).

In March 2022, higher than for other goods and services in the section, the increase in prices for the month was for plants, seeds and flowers (2.5%), as well as for stationery and drawing materials (2.0%). Compared to December last year, the leaders in price growth are newspapers and periodicals (23.2%), as well as museum services (8.9%).

The championship in terms of price growth in annual terms in March 2022 among the goods and services in this section belongs to magazines and periodicals (27.7%), as well as rent for the use of textbooks and teaching aids (25.3%).

In the field of paid education in March 2022, a slight increase in prices per month was noted only for the services of tutors (0.5%), for teaching foreign languages and other training courses (0.4%), as well as for the services of non-state preschool educational organizations (0.2%). The leader in terms of price growth in January-March 2022 are services for training in language and similar courses (2.2%).

The highest increase in prices in annual terms among goods and services in this section was recorded for services provided by state educational organizations in the field of preschool education (15.0%).

Ready-made food in cafes, canteens and fast food establishments in March of this year became more expensive in the range of 1.3-1.8%. Hotel services for the month rose by only 0.3%, recreation centers, campsites and similar hotel services - by 0.1%. The leadership in price growth for the first quarter of 2022 belongs to the services of recreation centers, campsites and similar hotel services (11.8%), and in annual terms - to the services of fast food establishments (18.4%).

The cost of insurance services in March 2022 has not changed. Financial services for the month became more expensive by 1.5%. At the same time, money transfer services through electronic payment systems rose by an average of 3.2% over the month, fees for money transfers through banking institutions increased by 1.7%.

Explicit fees for deposit-taking corporations rose 0.3% in March.  Leadership in price growth in annual terms belongs to the fee for money transfers (4.9%), while a decrease in prices, relative to March 2021, was noted for money transfer services through electronic payment systems (-1.9%).

In March 2022, appliances, products and personal goods, with the exception of electric (1.6%), as well as services of hairdressers and personal service establishments (1.1%), were among the main groups of goods and services in this section in terms of price growth for the month.

Compared to the level of December last year, prices for hairdressing salons and personal care establishments increased more than others in the section (4.4%). The same type of service is the leader in terms of price growth in annual terms (19.3%).

In March 2022, the dominance of food inflation remained, which manifested itself both in the structure of the increase in the short-term consolidated CPI and in the structure of the indicator compared to December and March of last year.