In March 2023, the national Consumer Price Index (CPI) in China increased by 0.7 percent year-on-year. The urban CPI increased by 0.7 percent, and the rural CPI increased by 0.6 percent. Food prices increased by 2.4 percent, while non-food prices increased by 0.3 percent. Consumer goods prices increased by 0.5 percent, and service prices increased by 0.8 percent. From January to March, the national consumer price increased on average by 1.3 percent compared to the same period last year.
In March, the national consumer price decreased by 0.3 percent month-on-month. The urban CPI decreased by 0.3 percent, and the rural CPI also decreased by 0.3 percent. Food prices decreased by 1.4 percent, while non-food prices remained flat. Consumer goods prices decreased by 0.5 percent, and service prices increased by 0.1 percent.
The year-on-year changes in prices of different categories showed that food, tobacco, and alcohol prices increased by 2.1 percent, affecting the CPI to increase by about 0.59 percentage points. Among food items, fresh fruit prices increased by 11.5 percent, while egg prices increased by 7.8 percent, and livestock meat prices increased by 4.6 percent. Grain prices increased by 2.0 percent, but fresh vegetable prices decreased by 11.1 percent.
The prices of other major categories either increased or decreased year-on-year. Other supplies and services, education, culture, and recreation, and health care prices increased, while clothing, household facilities, articles, and services, transportation, telecommunication, and residence prices decreased.
In terms of month-on-month changes, food, tobacco, and alcohol prices decreased by 0.9 percent, with fresh vegetable prices decreasing by 7.2 percent and livestock meat prices decreasing by 2.4 percent. Other supplies and services, clothing, health care prices increased, while household facilities, articles, and services, transportation, telecommunication, education, culture, and recreation prices decreased.
Overall, in March 2023, the national CPI in China increased year-on-year, but decreased month-on-month, with food prices showing significant fluctuations. Non-food prices remained relatively stable, with some categories showing price increases and others showing decreases compared to the previous year and previous month.
http://www.stats.gov.cn/english/PressRelease/202304/t20230413_1938599.html