Households Struggle as Inflation Hits Hard, Index Up by 4.2%

Food inflation is rampant at the beginning of 2024. The Consumer Price Index, which was 132 in December 2023, saw a significant increase of 4.2% to reach 137.6 in March 2024, confirming the financial hardship experienced by middle-class families, elderly individuals, and others as they visit supermarkets in recent weeks.

This has made it difficult for even the most modest families to make ends meet during these very challenging times.

The prices of food products, particularly vegetables, have increased significantly.

Statistics Mauritius states that the surge in the Consumer Price Index is mainly due to the rise in prices of vegetables (+54.8%), fruits (+15.3%), herbs (+51.6%), meat (+0.9%), and frozen semi-prepared foods (+7%).

Other factors contributing to the increase in the Consumer Price Index include the rising prices of ice cream and candies (+14%), dairy preparations (+6.1%), ginger (+22.5%), concentrated juices and syrups (+6.7%), as well as whiskey (+10.3%), ready-to-wear clothing (+1.8%), salaries (+14%), domestic service fees, doctor’s fees, and vehicle prices.

The annual inflation rate (Headline inflation) was 7% in 2023, compared to 10.8% in 2022.

For the 12 months ending in March 2024, it stood at 5.8%, down from 11.1% for the 12 months ending in March 2023.

Source: Le Mauricien