November Inflation Report

The headline consumer price index reached 4.32% in November as seasonal pressures continue to push toward a 2010 year-end 4.5% result.

The largest driver in the overall result was higher fresh farm prices. Lime prices, for example, shot up nearly 50% in November alone. Squash, peppers, and corn also weighed in.

In terms of underlying core inflation, the index also trended up at 3.63% versus 3.58% in October. The central bank said food items, notably milk and sugar, received steep discounts from retailers this time last year, and that was not repeated.

The table is as follows for annualized inflation indices through November 2010:

HEADLINE 4.32
*Core Sub-Index 3.63
*Merchandise (Core) 3.69
***Foods (Core) 3.8
***Other (Core) 3.59
**Services 3.58
***Housing (Services) 2.75
***Education (Services) 4.65
***Other (Services) 4.07
*Non-Core Sub-Index 6.2
**Administrated/Regulated 6.52
***Administrated 6.67
***Regulated 6.37
**Produce 5.59
***Fruits and Vegetables 10.15
***Meats and Eggs 2.64