March 2019, Medan Inflation 0.32 Percent

·         In March 2019, all CPI cities in North Sumatra were inflation, namely Sibolga by 0.24 percent; Pematangsiantar by 0.27 percent; Medan by 0.32 percent; and Padangsidimpuan by 0.25 percent. Thus, the combined 4 cities of CPI in North Sumatra in March inflation was 0.30 percent.

•          In March 2019, Medan inflation was 0.32 percent or there was an increase in index from 138.42 in February 2019 to 138.86 in March 2019. Inflation occurred because of an increase in prices indicated by an increase in the index of four expenditure groups, namely groups food ingredients at 1.67 percent; processed foods, beverages, cigarettes and tobacco group at 0.03 percent; clothing group by 0.41 percent; and the health group by 0.67 percent. Meanwhile, the group experiencing a decline in index, namely the housing, water, electricity, gas and fuel group by 0.02 percent; the education, recreation and sports group by 0.01 percent; and the transportation, communication and financial services group by 0.61 percent.

•          The main commodities contributing to inflation during March 2019 in Medan include red chili, shallots, male collared shirts, toothpaste, garlic, broiler chicken and oranges.

•          Of the 23 CPI cities in Sumatra, 16 cities recorded inflation. The highest inflation occurred in Meulaboh by 0.39 percent with CPI of 133.86 and the lowest was in Dumai at 0.07 percent with CPI of 135.92.