Partial compensation for energy prices slows rise of consumer prices in October

According to Statistics Estonia, the consumer price index fell by 1.1% in October when compared with September and grew by 22.5% compared with October 2021. Goods were 20.5% and services 26.4% more expensive than in October last year.
Viktoria Trasanov, leading analyst at Statistics Estonia, said that, when compared with October 2021, the consumer price index was affected the most by housing-related price changes, which accounted for a third of the total increase. Partial energy price compensation measures for electricity, gas, and district heating came into force in October. Also, starting from October, households could buy electricity as a universal service, the price of which is formed on the basis of the producer price confirmed by the Competition Authority. «Solid fuels were 111.4%, gas 88.8%, electricity that reached homes was 83.7%, and heat energy 49.1% more expensive. The price changes of food and non-alcoholic beverages accounted for nearly 30% of the total rise in the index. Petrol was 21.9% and diesel fuel 42.6% more expensive,» added Trasanov.
Among food products, the biggest increase, when compared with October 2021, occurred in the price of sugar (94%). Flour and cereals were 78.4%, other edible oils were 64.2%, eggs were 60.1%, spices were 57.6%, and beef 51% was more expensive.
Compared with September, the consumer price index was influenced the most by prince changes related to the implementation of partial energy price compensation measures. Water supply services were 17.3% and sewerage services 16.4% more expensive.