Mauritius’ Producer Price Index (PPI) for agriculture declined by 3.5% in the overall index for the second quarter of 2014 compared to the previous quarter. This is mainly due to lower prices of 27.8% in fresh vegetables, partly offset by higher prices of 2.6% in animals and animal products.
Noting that the PPI for agriculture in March was 111.4 and the index in June was 109.3, Statistics Mauritius stated that there has been a decline of 1.9% on the account of the combined effects of decreases of 0.9% and 1.9% in April and May respectively and a rise of 0.9% in June.
The PPI for agriculture captures the prices of sugarcane, vegetables and animal produce and data showed that the index for ‘Sugarcane’ for the period July 2013 to June 2014 has been revised from 90.4 to 86.7 based on the final price of sugar for the 2013 crop.
Statistics Mauritius outlined that this represents a decrease of 10.0% over the 2012 crop and it assumed that the same price prevails during the whole of the crop year.
Concerning ‘Other crop products’, the index in April 2014 declined by 6.7% mainly due to the combined effects of a decrease of 16.2% in the prices of fresh vegetables and an increase of 19.4% in the prices of fruits and nuts.
The index showed another decline of 11.0% in May due to decreases of 11.4% in the prices of fresh vegetables and 18.1% in the prices of fruits and nuts, while in June 2014, the index improved due to an increase of 7.9% in the prices of fresh vegetables.
The index for ‘Animals and animal products’ rose by 1.8% in April mainly due to increases of 1.6% in the prices of poultry and 2.8% increase in eggs.
The two consecutive months, May and June, also registered a rise of 1.4% and 0.1% respectively.
The index climbed in May due to an increase of 6.5% in the prices of eggs while in June, the index was boosted by an increase of 0.3% received in the prices of eggs.
On a yearly basis, the PPI for agriculture witnessed a decline of 7.0% during the second quarter of 2014.
Image (AFD): Statistics Mauritius data showed that the price of fresh vegetables continues to lessen, representing an increase in purchasing power for the common man.
More business news on AfricaMoney
Facebook Comments