Ho Chi Minh City’s consumer price index (CPI) in April was down 0.33
percent from last month, making an overall rise of 0.82 percent since
the start of this year.

According to the city’s
Statistics Office, its April CPI was up 2.44 percent from 12 months ago,
the lowest increase over the period since 2002.

An
increase was recorded in the groups of transport; apparel-hats-footwear;
culture, entertainment and tourism; household equipment; healthcare
services; education; beverages and cigarettes.

Meanwhile, prices of the food and restaurant services group decreased
together with accommodation-electricity-water-fuel; building materials;
postal and telecommunication services. Of which, food prices saw a sharp
decline of 2.07 percent.

Experts attribute the decrease in food prices to poor exports, large inventory levels and average consumption.

At present, the supply of fresh food and vegetables is abundant, and
prices of key commodities are regularly checked by relevant agencies,
preventing unreasonable price increases in the city’s market.

During
the month, the prices of gold and the USD fell by 1.63 percent and 0.50
percent, respectively, compared to last month’s figures.-VNA