Price Index of Taiwan's Consumer Staples Hit 61-Month High of 6.26% in March 2014

The annual growth of Taiwan's consumer price index (CPI) hit a 13-month high of 1.61% in March, with 17 consumer staples as rice, flour, pork, chicken meat, eggs, etc. all witnessing a sizable growth of 6.26%, a new 61-month high, according to the Directorate General of Budget, Accounting & Statistics (DGBAS).

In the same month dining-out expenditures grew 2.26%, the highest of its kind in 12 months. However, the prices of mobile phone, computer, pineapple, and jewels & gold ornaments all fell by over 10% and so did the vehicle inspection fee.

In addition, the prices of garlic, carrot, and digital camera as well as cell phone fees all shrank by more than 5%. Since higher food prices contributed nearly 90% to the CPI growth in March, so, the core CPI growth, excluding the prices of fresh food and energy, was only 0.97% in the month, which would be only 0.25% excluding all food items. (JL)