Consumer price index fell 0.8% in Jan, up 3.8% over last year -Statistical Bureau Stabroek News February 16, 2001 A decline in prices within the food, medical, personal care and miscellaneous goods and services groups, has resulted in a 0.8% reduction in the Urban (Georgetown) Consumer Price Index (CPI) for the first month of the year. This decrease according to a press release yesterday from the Bureau of Statistics, reflected the expected seasonal fall in demand which immediately follows the end of the Christmas season. Adding to the decrease, essentially in the food group, in the meat, fish and eggs category was an outbreak of rabies on the West Coast Demerara, which negatively affected sales of cattle meat, causing a reduction in prices for the meat. It was further stated that the index at the end of January reflected a 3.8% increase compared with the corresponding period last year. The recorded deflation in the index, according to the bureau, was as a consequence of a decline of (-1.8%) food, (-1.3%) medical & personal care and (-2.2%) in the miscellaneous goods and services groups. The food group, which is said to be the highest weighted in the index, experienced decreases in the sub-groups of meat, fish and eggs (-5.2%), condiments and spices (-1.4%), vegetable products (-8.8%), fruit and fruit products (-5.6%), sugar, honey and related products (-1.5%) and tobacco and tobacco products (-1.4%). In the medical and personal care group, decreases were said to have occurred, in such items as tablets and pills (-8.3%), and clinical fees (-0.8%). Decreases in the cost of services of a cosmetologist (-7.1%), toilet soap (-3.0%), toilet tissue (-0.2%) and hair shampoo and conditioners (-2.3%) all heavily used items, accounted for the dip in the miscellaneous category. Follow the goings-on in Guyana in Guyana Today If you do not see the 'Guyana: Land of Six Peoples' drop-down menu on the left then please click here to enter through the front door which will give you additional options and information.