Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- In April 2021, goods and services in the consumer market of Uzbekistan increased on average by 1.5%, the State Statistics Committee of Uzbekistan said. 

Since the beginning of this year, their prices have increased by 4.1% with an average monthly value of 1.0%. In annual terms, the CPI growth reached 10.7%.

The short-term consolidated CPI in April 2021 was 0.2 points lower than in April last year and 0.6 points higher than in April 2019.

The consolidated CPI in annual terms (to the corresponding month of the previous year) for April 2021 was 3.8 points lower than in April last year, and 3.0 points lower than in April 2019.

This indicator for January-April 2021 (compared to December of the previous year) was 0.4 points lower than the same indicator for January-April last year, and 1.2 points lower than in April 2019.

In the structure of growth in the short-term consolidated CPI for April 2021, the impact of food inflation continues to dominate. Thus, due to the rise in prices for food products, the aggregate indicator for the month increased by 1.27 percentage points. Thus, the share of the impact of food products accounted for 83.6% of the total contribution of price changes for all observed goods and services.

The increase in prices for non-food goods added 0.14 percentage points to the consolidated CPI for the month, and due to the growth in prices and tariffs for services, the consolidated indicator increased by another 0.11 percentage points. According to calculations, the share of the impact of nonfood products accounted for 9.2%, paid services to the population - 7.2% of the total impact of rising prices for goods and services.

In the structure of the consolidated CPI in annual terms for April 2021, the leadership continues to be held by food products, the growth of prices for which increased this indicator by 5.8 percentage points. (about 54.0% of the total impact of goods and services). The dominance of food inflation was also characteristic of the annual rate in April 2020 and 2019.

The share of the impact of rising food prices in the total increase in the consolidated CPI in January-April of this year reached 64.0% of the total increase in the consolidated CPI. Non-food products and paid services shared the influence equally (18.0% each).

The CPI growth for food products in April this year amounted to 3.0% for the month, which is 0.3 points lower than in April last year, and 2.0% higher than in April 2019. The growth in the annual CPI in this group in April 2021 was at the level of 13.6%. This is, respectively, 5.5 points and 2.4 points lower than the same indicator for April 2020 and 2019. In January-April 2021, food prices increased by 6.2%, which is 1.5 points lower than in the corresponding period of 2020, and 1.2 points lower than in JanuaryApril 2019.

The CPI growth for non-food products in April this year amounted to 0.4% for the month. In April last year, this indicator was 0.3 points higher, and in April 2019 - 0.7 points higher than in April this year. The growth in the annual CPI in this group in April 2021 reached 8.5%, which is 1.0 points lower than in April last year, and 2.6 points lower than in April 2019. Relative to December 2020, non-food products became more expensive by 2.1%, which is 0.3 points lower than in January-April last year, and 1.8 points lower than in the same period in 2019.

In April 2021, services rose in price by 0.5% over a month. This is 0.2 points higher than last April and 0.1 points lower than in April 2019. The annual CPI in this group in April 2021 was 108.6%, against 113.8% in April 2020 and 113.3% in April 2019. During January-April 2021, services became more expensive by 3.2%, which is 1.4 points and 0.1 points higher than the increase in prices for this group, respectively, for January-April 2020 and 2019.

In April 2021, services rose in price by 0.5% over a month. This is 0.2 points higher than last April and 0.1 points lower than in April 2019. The annual CPI in this group in April 2021 was 108.6%, against 113.8% in April 2020 and 113.3% in April 2019. During January-April 2021, services became more expensive by 3.2%, which is 1.4 points and 0.1 points higher than the increase in prices for this group, respectively, for January-April 2020 and 2019.

Among the main groups of food and nonalcoholic beverages, fat and oil products (26.8%) also became leaders in price growth in January-April 2021. The top three also included vegetables, tubers, plantains and legumes (12.9%), fruits and nuts (10.8%). In annual terms, fat and oil products (1.6 times), sugar, confectionery and desserts (15.3%), milk, other dairy products and eggs (14.6%), as well as meat products (14.5%).

In April 2021, among the main food products (excluding fruit and vegetable products), the most significant rise in prices for the month was cottonseed (31.0%) and sunflower (26.5%) oils, granulated sugar (5.7%), as well as eggs (3.7%).

A decrease in prices for the month was recorded for some types of spices (ranging from - 0.01% to -0.1%), as well as for chocolate in bars (-0.4%), fruit drink (-0.2%) and kvass (-0.6%).

In relation to December 2020, the leading positions in terms of price growth belong to sunflower (35.7%) and cottonseed (34.1%) oils, as well as sand sugar (11.0%).

In annual terms, inflationary processes were also most clearly manifested in the growth of prices for cottonseed and sunflower oil, which on average became 1.7 times more expensive.

Among fruit and vegetable products, the most significant rise in prices over the month was for tomatoes (14.7%) and carrots (12.8%). Tomatoes (44.6%) and bell peppers (36.0%) have risen more in price since the beginning of this year. The leader in the growth of prices in annual terms was mandarins (1.6 times).

In April of this year, the dominant inflationary factor among food products and nonalcoholic beverages was the rise in prices for fat and oil products. Thus, due to the increase in prices for oil and fats, the consolidated CPI for the month increased by 0.64 percentage points. (over 50% of the total contribution of food and non-alcoholic beverages and over 40% of the total increase in the consolidated CPI for the month). A significant contribution was also made by the increase in prices for fruits and vegetables (0.34 p.p. in total)

The most significant contribution to the growth of the consolidated CPI for January-April 2021 from the main groups of food and non-alcoholic beverages was made by price changes for fat and oil products. In total due to the increase in prices for goods in this group the consolidated CPI since the beginning of the year has increased by 0.79 percentage points, which is over 31.5% of the total impact of food and non-alcoholic beverages and about 19.5% of the total impact goods and services. A significant contribution was also made by the increase in prices for fruits and vegetables (in total 1.05 p.p.).

Alcoholic products in April 2021 went up in price by 1.3% over the month, tobacco products - by an average of 0.7%. By the level of December 2020, cigarettes became more expensive by 6.6%, alcoholic beverages - by an average of 3.9%. In annual terms, tobacco products increased in price by 13.8%, alcohol - by 9.4%.

In April 2021, in a number of regions, the actual rent for housing increased, as a result of which the monthly CPI growth for this type of service averaged 0.5% in the republic. The services of locksmiths, plumbers, electricians and painters, as well as materials for servicing and repairing housing, on average became more expensive by 0.3%. Cold water supply and sewerage services on average in the republic have become more expensive by 0.9%. At the same time, the increase in tariffs was registered only in Khorezm region (23.7%). Against this background, the stability of tariffs for heat, electricity and gas supply services has been preserved. Since the beginning of the year, materials for maintenance and repair of housing have risen in price by 2.9% (12.4% by April 2020), services for maintenance and repair of housing - by 2.4% (15.3%), payments for cold water supply and sewerage increased 1.6 times (1.9 times), service in apartment buildings - by 1.7% (2.2%), waste collection and disposal - by 1.1% (3.2%).

Of the goods and services in this section in April of this year, leadership in terms of price growth over the month was shared by housekeeping services and household services, household detergents and cleaning products, as well as non-motorized tools, which added 0.8% in price. In general, in the first four months of 2021, housekeeping services and household services have risen more than others (6.7%), including disinfection and pest control (13.2%). In annual terms, leading positions in price growth also belong to household and household services (20.1%).

Of the main types of goods and services observed in the healthcare sector, in April 2021, prices for inpatient treatment and rehabilitation services increased more significantly than others (2.2%). Over the month, medical laboratory services have risen in price by 1.1%, for diagnostic imaging - by 0.6%, outpatient treatment and rehabilitation services - by 1.4%, outpatient dental preventive services - by 0.4%. Since the beginning of the year, more significant growth in prices was noted for inpatient treatment services (6.8%), as well as for diagnostic imaging and medical laboratories (5.6%). Compared to April 2020, services for diagnostic imaging and medical laboratories (14.8%), as well as inpatient treatment and rehabilitation services (13.4%), have become significantly more expensive

The growth of tariffs for passenger transport services on average per month by 0.9%, as well as an increase in the cost of operating personal transport by 0.7%, had a decisive impact on the prevailing short-term CPI in the "Transport" section for April 2021. At the same time, parking services (4.3%), maintenance and repair of vehicles (1.2%), gasoline (1.5%) and lubricants (1.1%) rose the most. Among passenger transport services, the increase in the cost of travel in city buses in Jizzakh and Kashkadarya regions by 1.5 times had the greatest impact on the growth of the composite index. Against this background, there was a decrease in methane prices (- 0.4%), as well as tuition fees for driver training courses (on average in the republic by 0.5%, including in the Republic of Karakalpakstan - by 6.8% and in the Fergana region - by 1.2%). Since the beginning of 2021, the most pronounced growth in prices was for gasoline (10.1%), and in annual terms - for air passenger transport services (1.3 times).

In April of this year, in the Information and Communication section, the most significant monthly price increase was noted for equipment for receiving, recording and reproducing sound and images (1.0%), as well as for stationary telephone equipment, peripheral equipment and its consumable components (0.5%). In general, in January-April 2021, the cost of services for the repair of information and communication equipment (4.6%), complex telecommunication services (3.6%), as well as prices for equipment for receiving, recording and playing sound and images (4.3%). 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 (16.3%).

In April of this year, the main increase in prices in the section “Recreation, Sports and Culture“ was recorded for services provided by museums (5.6%), as well as for printing invitations and postcards (1.0%). The seasonal factor was reflected in the decline in prices for horticultural products, plants and flowers (-2.0%).

Compared to the end of last year, the highest price increases were recorded for newspapers and periodicals (15.3%). In annual terms, the leadership in the growth of prices belongs to the services of renting textbooks and teaching aids, which, as compared to April last year, increased in price by 36.0%.

In April 2021, of the services in the field of education, an increase in prices was registered only in a number of regions for the services of tutors (on average in the republic by 0.6%, including the most significant in the Samarkand region - by 4.7%), as well as for services on training in language and similar courses (on average in the republic by 0.5%, including the most significant in Surkhandarya region - by 4.6%).

Since the beginning of this year, the cost of tutoring services in the country on average has risen by 3.2%, training on courses - by 3.0%, services of non-state preschool educational organizations - by 1.4%.

The leaders in the growth of prices in annual terms are the services of state preschool educational organizations (15.2%), for training in language and similar courses (8.5%), as well as the services of tutors (7.8%).

Leadership in price growth in annual terms for April 2021 also belongs to the services of recreation centers (24.5%). On an annualized basis, catering services became more expensive by 15.7%, hotel services and similar hotel services - by 11.4%.

Over the month, ready-to-eat food in cafes and canteens has become more expensive by 1.0%, in other catering establishments - by 1.5%. Hotel services, hotels and similar hotel services for the same period rose by 0.7%.

The leader in price growth in January-April of this year is the services of recreation centers, which during this period have risen in price by 17.3%.

The cost of insurance and financial services for the month did not change significantly. Only a 0.4% decrease in fees for remittances was registered, which is associated with the depreciation of the national currency against the US dollar. During January-April 2021, the cost of insurance services was also stable, while financial services became more expensive by 1.2%

In annual terms, the increase in prices for financial services was recorded at the level of 8.1%, which was influenced by an increase in the cost of services of banking institutions by 1.1%, fees for money transfers - by 9.7%, as well as for the transfer of funds through electronic payment systems - by 18.9%.

From household goods and services, hairdressing services became more expensive over the month by 1.1%, personal service establishments - by 0.3%, appliances, products and personal goods (excluding electrical ones) - by an average of 0.7%. In April, watch repair services rose in price by 1.1%, travel goods, products for children and other personal items not classified elsewhere - by 0.4%. Among other services, the most significant rise in prices in April for ritual services (on average in the republic by 1.9%).

In general, in January-April 2021, the leading positions in price growth belong to ritual services (11.7%) and legal services (9.5%), and in annual terms - services for photocopying documents (23.2%) and hairdressing salons. (21.8%).

The most significant impact on the growth of the short-term consolidated CPI for April 2021 was exerted by the growth in prices for food and non-alcoholic beverages (1.25 p.p. against a total increase in the consolidated CPI of 1.53 p.p.). The second place in terms of contribution to the growth of the aggregate indicator was shared by price changes in the spheres of health care and transport (0.05 p.p. each). The rise in prices for household items, household appliances and current housing maintenance added an additional 0.04 percentage points to the consolidated CPI. The impact of price changes in other sections was less significant.

In specific terms, the share of the impact of price changes on food and non-alcoholic beverages accounts for 81.7% of the total impact. The share of the impact of price increases in health care and transport accounts for 3.3% of the total impact. The contribution of rising prices for household items, household appliances and current housing maintenance is 2.6% of the total impact.

Leadership in terms of contribution to the growth of the consolidated CPI for January-April 2021 also belongs to food and non-alcoholic beverages, due to the growth in prices for which the consolidated CPI increased by 2.51 percentage points by December 2020. with an overall increase in the aggregate indicator by 4.1 percentage points.

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. These goods accounted for over 50% of the total impact of goods and services.