Consumer prices up 2.7% y.o.y. in January

Compared to January 2020, food prices were up by 3.9%, within which the price of edible oil by 16.3%, that of sugar by 11.7%, the price of meals at canteens by 8.9%, that of seasonal food items (potatoes, fresh vegetables and fresh domestic and tropical fruits together) by 8%, flour prices by 7.1%, the price of other meat preparations by 6.6% and bread prices by 6%.

A price decrease of 6.3% was recorded for pork and of 0.7% for poultry meat. 

Alcoholic beverages and tobacco became an average 9.9%, within which tobacco 16.5% more expensive. Consumers paid 3.1% more for consumer durables and 3.5% less for motor fuels.

Prices up 0.9% compared to December

Consumer prices increased by 0.9% on average compared to the last month of 2020. Food became 1% more expensive, within which seasonal food items (potatoes, fresh vegetables and fruits) cost 4.3%, edible oil 3.2%, chocolate and cocoa 2.4%, pasta products 2.0%, sugar 1.9% and poultry meat 0.9% more, while milk 0.7% less for consumers. 

Alcoholic beverages and tobacco prices went up by 2.3% on average, within which tobacco prices – due to an increase in the excise duty imposed on them – by 3%.

Consumers paid 3.9% more for motor fuels. Consumer durables prices rose by 0.6% on average, within which the price of new passenger cars by 2.4%.

Services became 0.5%, within which postal services 5.6% more expensive, and motorway tolls and the charges for renting a car and parking increased by 2.7% – as an effect of a rise in motorway tolls. Clothing and footwear cost 2.8% less for consumers due to the end-of-season sale, KSH noted