In August and September, 11 out of 11 commodity groups saw an increase in their price index.

(Baonghean.vn) –In Nghe An province, the consumer price index (CPI) in August 2013 increased by 0.36% compared to the previous month, by 14.21% compared to the same period in 2012, and by 3.19% compared to December 2012.

Nine out of eleven commodity groups in the index basket saw price increases. The strongest increase was in the housing, electricity, water, fuel, and building materials group, which rose by 1.64% due to a 5% increase in electricity prices (effective August 1, 2013) and a 6.53% increase in gas prices. Second was the transportation group, which increased by 1.19% (although gasoline prices were adjusted down by 310 VND/liter on August 22nd, previous price increases (+840 VND/liter) continued to directly impact this group's price index).

Next are the groups: beverages and tobacco (+0.31%); other goods and services (+0.41%); culture, sports, entertainment and tourism (+0.05%); clothing, hats, and footwear (+0.28%); education (+0.21%); pharmaceuticals and medical equipment (+0.01%). The group with the largest weight, food and food services, also increased again this month (+0.12%), while it decreased by -0.25% in July 2013.

Two out of eleven groups had a decrease in price index (-0.07%), namely the household equipment and appliances group and the postal and telecommunications group.

Overall, the average consumer price index for the first eight months of 2013 increased by 13.62% compared to the same period last year. Specifically, the food and beverage group increased by 1.85% (foodstuffs decreased by 8.14%, processed foods increased by 4.28%); the beverages and tobacco group increased by 6.69%; clothing, hats, and footwear increased by 4.70%; housing, electricity, water, fuel, and building materials increased by 1.37%; household equipment and appliances increased by 5.53%; pharmaceuticals and medical equipment increased by 6.19%… Only the postal and telecommunications group decreased by 1.15%.

Total retail sales and service revenue in Nghe An province in August 2013 reached VND 3,909 billion, an increase of 2% compared to the previous month and an increase of 18.95% compared to August 2012. In the first eight months of 2013, total retail sales and service revenue reached VND 32,008 billion, an increase of 19.66% compared to the same period last year.

Prices of some major commodities in August 2013

- Foodstuff group:

Most types of rice and agricultural products maintained the same prices as the previous month, with only a few types of southern rice experiencing a slight decrease of 100-200 VND/kg. Specifically: High-quality local white rice is priced from 11,000-12,300 VND/kg; Hanoi glutinous rice at 26,000 VND/kg; Thai glutinous rice at 28,000-29,000 VND/kg; Southern fragrant rice is priced from 11,000-16,000 VND/kg (depending on the type), a decrease of about 100-200 VND/kg.

Retail prices of agricultural products remained relatively stable: Peanuts: 45,000-50,000 VND/kg; Grade 1 black sesame seeds: 60,000 VND/kg; Grade 1 local peeled mung beans: 50,000 VND/kg…

- Food category:Compared to last month, retail food prices remained relatively stable, specifically:

Fresh food: Pork loin: 80,000-90,000 VND/kg; live free-range chicken: 115,000-125,000 VND/kg; premium beef: 220,000-230,000 VND/kg.



In August, the price of vegetables and food increased by 4.28%.

Vegetables and fruits: Malabar spinach 4,000 VND/bundle, sweet potato leaves 4,000 VND/bundle, green squash, pumpkin 10,000-12,000 VND/kg…

- Technology products group:

Beer and soft drinks: Prices of beer and spirits are relatively stable, specifically: Hanoi Beer: 200,000 VND/case; Halida Beer: 185,000 VND/case.

Sugar: Retail prices in the market remain relatively stable at around 17,500-18,500 VND/kg.

Milk: Compared to last month, milk prices remain unchanged: Dielac Alpha Step 1 & 2 (400g) is priced at 107,000 VND/box; NAN Pro 1 (400g) for children aged 0-6 months is 220,000 VND/box.

- Building materials:Retail steel prices remained relatively stable compared to July 2013, with Thai Nguyen steel Ø 6 and Ø 8 priced at 16,000-17,000 VND/kg; retail cement prices ranged from 1,170,000 to 1,180,000 VND/ton for PCB 30 and 1,200,000 to 1,550,000 VND/ton for PCB 40, depending on the brand.

- Gas:In August 2013, gas prices were adjusted upwards twice, by 10,000-12,000 VND/kg. Currently, retail prices range from 375,000-400,000 VND per 12kg cylinder (depending on the brand).

- Fertilizers:The retail prices of some common inorganic fertilizers are currently as follows: Urea at 9,900-10,500 VND/kg; Potassium at 11,500-12,800 VND/kg; DAP at 14,500-15,000 VND/kg; NPK at 11,500-12,200 VND/kg.

- Gasoline and diesel fuel:On August 22, 2013, gasoline prices were adjusted down by 310 VND/liter. Currently, the retail price of RON 92 gasoline is 24,750 VND/liter, and RON 95 gasoline is 25,260 VND/liter.

- Gold and foreign exchange rates:In August 2013, the price of gold remained below 4 million VND per tael. On August 26, 2013, the gold price at the Vietnam Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (buy-sell) was 3,795,000-3,813,000 VND per tael; the USD/VND exchange rate listed at banks (buy-sell) was 21,110-21,190 VND/USD.

Thu Huyen