With the 15 per cent value added tax coming into effect from August 1, there was an increase in the average changes in the prices of goods and services purchased by households nationwide.
The Fiji Bureau of Statistics has reported Consumer Price Index (CPI) for the month of August 2023 registered an increase of 1.7 per cent over July 2023.
The transport sector saw a 5.9 per cent increase in CPI with higher prices recorded for spare parts and accessories for personal transport equipment, fuels and lubricants, personal transport equipment, equipment, passenger transport by road and passenger transport by sea and waterway.
There was a 5 per cent increase recorded in restaurants, cafes and accommodation services.
A 4.1 per cent increase was noted in prices for pharmaceutical products, other medical products, medical services, dental services and paramedical services.
Higher prices of 4 per cent were recorded for hairdressing salons, personal grooming establishment, articles and products for personal care, jewellery, clocks and watches. 3.3 per cent increase were recorded in prices for paint, water charges and electricity charges.
Equipment for the reception, record and reproduction of sound and picture, information processing equipment, cultural services and newspapers and periodicals recorded an increase of 1.7 per cent.
1.5 per cent increase in prices were recorded for furniture and furnishings, household textiles, small electric household appliance, glassware, tableware and household utensils, major tools and equipment, small tools and miscellaneous accessories and non-durable household goods.
Higher prices of 1.5 per cent were recorded for bread and cereals, meat, fish and sea food, milk, cheese and eggs, oils and fats, fruit, confectionery items, food products not elsewhere classified and non-alcoholic beverages such as coffee, tea and cocoa and mineral water soft drinks.
