Commodity prices fall by 0.98% in October
Fruit recorded one of the largest monthly price drops, falling by an average of 7.94 per cent in October compared to September.
Prices of essential commodities in the Malé area fell last month, according to data published by the Maldives Bureau of Statistics (MBS) on Wednesday.
MBS figures show that commodity prices declined by 0.98 per cent on a month-on-month basis in October. However, prices were 1.89 per cent higher compared from October 2024.
The bureau has begun issuing updates on changes in the prices of basic goods.
According to the latest data:
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Food prices fell 1.49 per cent in October, but were 1.82 per cent higher compared to the same month last year.
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Prices of beverages decreased 0.45 per cent last month, while rising 2.68 per cent year-on-year.
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Gas and oil prices increased 0.68 per cent during the month but were 0.83 per cent lower year-on-year.
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Personal care items rose 0.18 per cent in October and have increased 2.99 per cent since the start of the year.
Fruit recorded one of the largest monthly price drops, falling by an average of 7.94 per cent in October compared to September.
However, price increases were observed in several categories:
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Jams, chocolate spreads, honey and similar products rose by 1.15 per cent.
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Eggs and dairy products increased by 0.38 per cent.
In year-on-year comparisons:
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Fruit prices rose 6.94 per cent.
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Vegetable prices declined 10.10 per cent.
Beverages, tea and related items increased by 0.45 per cent last month. Coffee and similar drinks rose 0.65 per cent, and on a year-on-year basis:
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Coffee and similar beverages increased 8.68 per cent.
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Fruit and vegetable juices rose 5.67 per cent.
The Essential Commodity Price Index (ECPI) tracks changes in the prices of food and other basic goods. The basket used for the calculation contains 96 items, with price movements assessed through 2,549 monthly quotations.
