In the second month of the year, the year-on-year change in the Consumer Price Index was 1.5%, below the 2.2% increase recorded in February 2018.
During February, the goods and services with the greatest positive effect were: automobile, primary education and junior high school. On the other hand, gasoline, papaya and tomato were among the main with the greatest negative effect, reported the National Institute of Statistics and Census (INEC).
In the second month of the year, the FAO food price index fell 2% from February 2018, explained by the decline in the prices of meat, vegetable oils and sugar.
From FAO's monthly report:
The FAO Food Price Index* (FFPI) averaged 167.5 points in February 2019, up 2.7 points (1.7 percent) from January. While the February value of the FFPI marked its highest level since August 2018, it remained nearly 4 points (2.3 percent) below its level in the corresponding month last year. Prices of all commodities represented in the FFPI rose in February, with sharp increases registered for dairy prices.
In Costa Rica, the price indexes for buildings and social housing registered 2.8% and 1.9% year-on-year variations in the first month of the year, respectively.
From the statement of the National Institute of Statistics and Census:
The price indexes for construction based on February 2012 are a set of twenty statistical indicators, which measure the variation in the prices of materials used in the construction of different types of works.
The consumer price index did not show any major changes in January, as it barely varied by 0.05% with respect to December, mainly because of the Transport and Education prices.
Of the 315 goods and services included in the consumption basket, 57% increased in price, 36% decreased in price and 7% showed no variation, informed the National Statistics and Census Institute.
In the first month of the year, the FAO food price index fell 2% from January 2018, because of the decline in the prices of meat, vegetable oils and sugar.
From FAO's monthly report:
The FAO Food Price Index* (FFPI) averaged 164.8 points in January 2019, up almost 3 points (1.8 percent) from December 2018 but still 3.7 points (2.2 percent) below the corresponding month last year.
After reporting in December 2018 a 2.1% inflation, it is foreseen that this year the inflationary rhythm of the country could range between 2% and 2.6%.
The Central Bank of Costa Rica (BCCR) presented its inflation projections for the current year, in which is contemplated the expected effect of the international price of hydrocarbons as well as the impact of the entry into force of the value added tax.
In Costa Rica, the price indexes of buildings and social housing registered in December last year 4.1% and 3.9% year-on-year variations, respectively.
From the statement of the National Institute of Statistics and Census:
The price indexes for construction base February 2012 are a set of twenty statistical indicators, which measure the variation in the prices of materials used in the construction of different types of works.
In December, the FAO food price index fell 4% compared to the same month in 2017, explained by the decline in prices of meat, dairy products, vegetable oils and sugar.
From FAO's monthly report:
The FAO Food Price Index* (FFPI) averaged 161.7 points in December 2018, nearly unchanged from its November value as lower dairy and sugar quotations were largely offset by firmer cereal prices and somewhat higher prices of meat and oils.
The variation of the CPI reported during December 2018, was determined by the behavior of prices of Transport and Food and alcoholic beverages.
The National Institute of Statistics and Census reported that, during December, the goods and services showing the greatest positive effect are: tourist packages, subscription television and internet service. On the other hand, gasoline, airfare and liquefied gas were among the main with the greatest negative effect.
In the eleventh month of the year, the consumer price index registered a monthly variation of 0.42%, mainly because of the positive effect of the prices of airline tickets and domestic services.
From the report of the National Institute of Statistics and Censuses of Costa Rica:
In November 2018, the general index level was 104.303, compared to 103.864 in the previous month.
In November, the FAO Food Price Index fell 8% compared to the same month in 2017, caused by lower prices for meat, dairy products, cereals and sugar.
From FAO's monthly report:
» The FAO Food Price Index* (FFPI) averaged 160.8 points in November 2018, down 2.1 points (1.3 percent) from October, the lowest since May 2016, and nearly 15 points (8.5 percent) below its level in the corresponding period last year.
In the tenth month of the year, the price indexes for buildings and social housing registered 3.2% and 2.4% year-on-year variations, respectively.
From the statement of the National Institute of Statistics and Census:
The price indexes for construction base February 2012 are a set of twenty statistical indicators, which measure the variation in the material prices used in the construction of different types of projects.
After a 2.2% year-on-year inflation was reported in September, during October the inflationary rate was reduced to 2%.
From the report of the National Institute of Statistics and Censuses of Costa Rica:
From the 315 goods and services that are part of the consumption basket, 51% increase in price, 36% decreased in price and 13 % did not present variation.
In September, the FAO food price index decreased 7% compared to the same month in 2017, because of lower prices for meat, dairy products, cereals, vegetable oils and sugar.
From FAO's monthly report:
» The FAO Food Price Index* (FFPI) averaged 163.5 points in October 2018, down 1.4 points (0.9 percent) from September and some 13 points (7.4 percent) below its level in the corresponding period last year.
Arguing that the predictions suggest that inflation in 2019 could be above the upper limit of the target range, the Central Bank of Costa Rica decided to raise the monetary policy rate from 5% to 5.25%.
From the statement of the Central Bank of Costa Rica:
November 1st, 2018. The Board of Directors of the Central Bank of Costa Rica (BCCR), in the session of October 31st, 2018, decided to increase the monetary policy rate (TPM) by 25 basic points to 5.25% annually. The Board of Directors also agreed to increase the gross interest rate on one-day deposits (DON) by 19 basis points to 3.23% annually. Both increases are in effect from November 1st, 2018.