In Jan-Sep 2016, 3.7% deflation on consumer market of Armenia was due to 5.9% decline in food prices and 3.5% fall in nonfood prices

ArmInfo. In September 2016, the  consumer market of Armenia saw 0.1% inflation due to 0.2% growth in  nonfood prices and 0.6% growth of services prices amid decline of  food prices by 0.3%. In Jan-Sep 2016, 3.7% deflation on consumer  market of Armenia was due to 5.9% decline in food prices and 3.5%  fall in nonfood prices amid decline of services tariffs by 0.7%. 

The National Statistical Service of Armenia has told ArmInfo that in  Jan-Sep 2016 the average monthly decline in consumer prices made up  0.4% versus 0.2% fall a year before. In Jan-Sep 2016, versus Jan-Sep  2015 the consumer price index made up 98.4%, including food price  index - 96.3%, nonfood price index - 97.9%, and the index of tariffs  of services made up 102.2%. In Sep 2016 versus Sep 2015 the indices  made up 98.1%, 96.7%, 96.2% and 101.4%, respectively.  

According to statistics September deflation on the market of food  products (0.3% including alcohol and tobacco) was determined mainly  by 4.8% decline of vegetables and potato prices.  Out of surveyed 13  groups of goods 4.8-0.1% decline was registered in prices of 8,  0.3-4.6% growth in prices of 4 and in one group the prices did not  change.  Particularly, in the vegetables group carrot prices dropped  by 21.7%, onion-21.2%, cucumbers-20.9%, cabbage-10.1%, beet-7.2%,  cauliflower-6.5%, potato-6.5%, tomatoes-3.8%, green pepper-2.8%,  green bean-0.4%. At the same time the following goods grew in prices:  green onion-by 33.1%, eggplants-30.8%, greenery-19%, garlic- 13%,  mushrooms-1.3%. Dairy products fell in price by 0.5% in Sep 2016,  meat products-0.2%, while sugar grew in price by 4.6%, eggs-by 1%,  fruits by 1%, fish, drinks and tobacco-0.3-0.4%. 

On the nonfood market, 0.2% growth of prices in September was caused  by mainly growth of footwear by 4.4%, clothes and knitwear by 3.1%,  household appliances-by 1.3%, jewelry and stationary by 1%. At the  same time medicaments, detergents, cosmetics and construction  materials dropped in prices by 0.1-1.4%. In September prices of  petroleum and diesel fuel did not change (amid y-o-y decline by  11.8-19.6%) and in Jan-Sep petroleum dropped in prices by 9.3%,  diesel fuel by 17.7%. The highest growth of non-food products was  registered in the capital by 0.7%. 

As regards the tariffs of services, in September 2016 they rose by  0.6% due to growth of utilities prices by 1.5%, recreation services -  by 1.6% and education by 2%. In the meantime, transport services  dropped in price by 1.5% (due to 4.9% fall in air ticket prices),  services in the culture sector - by 1.4% and medical services - by  0.1% 

To note, in September 2015 0.1% inflation was registered on the  consumer market in Armenia caused by growth of nonfood prices by 0.6%  while food prices and service tariffs did not change. In Jan-Sep 2015  2% deflation was registered, caused by 6.2% drop of food prices (not  including alcohol and tobacco) amid growth of nonfood prices by 3.6%  and growth of services tariffs by 1.1%. In Jan-Sep 2015 compared to  Jan-Sep 2014 consumer prices index totaled 104.7% including food  prices index-104.6%, nonfood-105.9% and tariffs on services-103.2%  while in Sep 2015 compared to Sep 2014-103.3%, 102.3%, 106.1% and  101.6% respectively. Average monthly decline of consumer prices  totaled 0.2% in Jan-Sep 2015 versus 0.1% decline a year before.