Black Immigrant Daily News

Consumer Price Index (CPI) June-2022

The Statistics Division, under the Ministry of Finance and Corporate Governance releases the CPI for Jun 2022

Year-on-Year Analysis

All Items Index rose 10.5% for the twelve months ending June 2022.

The Food Index rose 10.3% over the last twelve months with all nine sub-categories increasing over the period. Eight of the nine sub-categories rose more than five percent.

The index for Meat and Meat Products rose 16.9% with the index for Poultry increasing 25.1%.

The remaining groups had increases ranging from 1.3% (Fruits) to 23.3% (Oils and Fats). The index for Non-Alcoholic Beverages increased by 9.3% with the index for Coffee, Tea, and Cocoa increasing by 19.4%.

The index for Soft Drinks and Concentrates rose 15.0%.

The index for Transport rose 27.6% which was attributed to increases in airlines fares (+42.7%) and Operations of personal Transport equipment (+25.9%).

The Energy Index increased 17.1% over the last twelve months. The gasoline index increased 40.0% with the price per gallon increasing from $12.50 to $17.50.

The diesel price rose 41.3% with the price per gallon increasing from $12.20 to $17.25.

The Index for All Items Less Food and Energy rose 9.9% over the last twelve months. The increase was reflected in all major components over the period.

The Index for Miscellaneous Goods and Services rose 17.5%. The index for Furnishings, Household Equipment, and Routine Household Maintenance increased by 14.9%.

Month-to-Month Price Changes

The Monthly Consumer Price Index increased by 2.8% for the month ending June 2022.

The Food Index rose 0.6% in June 2022 following a 1.8% increase the following month. Five of the nine major sub-categories recorded increases in June.

The index for Meats and Meat Products rose 5.2% with increases in the indexes for Pork (+11.2%) and Poultry (+7.2%). The index for Sugar, Jams, Honey, Chocolate, and Confectionery rose 2.2% over the one month.

The Energy Index rose 7.2% after declining 1.6% in May.

The gasoline index rose 15.5% as prices at the pump increased from $15.15.to $15.70 per gallon in June after declining 3.5% in May.

The diesel index rose 12.5% as prices rose from $15.33 to $17.25 per gallon at the pump.

The Index for All Items Less Food and Energy rose 2.8% in June.

The index for Transport Services rose 33.2% with the index for Transport by Air increasing 38.7%. The index for Alcoholic Beverages, Tobacco, and Narcotics increased by 0.7%.

Methodology

What is the consumer price index (CPI) measuring and how is it done?

The All Items Consumer Price Index (CPI) is the main measure of what is commonly called inflation, or headline inflation. It measures the change in prices, on average, from month to month, and from year to year of the goods and services bought by most households.

Prices are collected monthly and quarterly from supermarkets and other suppliers of goods and services. The pattern of household expenditure on these goods and services is derived from a regular household budget (or expenditure) survey (HBS).

The prices and spending patterns (known as weights) are then combined to calculate the price indices for groups of goods and services and for the All Items index. These indices are based on expenditure patterns in 2006.

The All Items (or overall) index, with all of its twelve (12) component indices, is published each month.

For a detailed account of the methodology used in calculating the CPI, please call the Statistics Division.

Copies of the CPI for Jun 2022 can be accessed on the Division’s official website www.statistics.gov.ag

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Black Immigrant Daily News

Basseterre, St. Kitts, July 31, 2022 (SKNIS): Prime Minister Dr. the Hon. Timothy Harris, on the 50th anniversary of the MV Christena disaster at a special sitting of the Nevis Island Administration (NIA), made the announcement that it was fitting to erect a suitable memorial in Basseterre, similar to the memorial in Charlestown, Nevis, in recognition of those who had lost their lives in the tragic disaster of August 1, 1970.

“I want to pledge further that my government will, before the next commemorative event, next year, properly establish an appropriate memorial, in honour of the memory of those who perished,” Prime Minister Harris said at the special sitting of the NIA in 2020.

Mr. Calvin Pemberton was tasked with undertaking the project, plans were put in place and discussions were held with survivors of the disaster, the management team of the Heritage Society and the Urban Development Corporation. The site chosen was deemed most appropriate, having regard to historical factors and the construction of the monument began. However, the completion of the monument was curtailed because of the COVID-19 pandemic that interfered with labour and the sourcing of materials for the project. Commendations and gratitude are extended to those workers who executed the project.

Prime Minister Harris and his Cabinet respect and honour the memory of those who perished in the disaster and offer condolences to the families who are still mourning the loss of their loved ones.

The MV Christena disaster is the single greatest catastrophe to have occurred in St. Kitts and Nevis. On August 1, 1970, the MV Christena sank in the Narrows between the islands of St. Kitts and Nevis after encountering difficulty. 233 persons died and 90 survived.

The Christena monument is completed but will be commissioned at a later date.

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Black Immigrant Daily News

The St Catherine-based ‘Williams Farm’ has been putting fresh, locally grown food on the tables of Jamaicans for generations.

Now its youngest proprietor, Trey Williams, has decided to carve out his niche in the family business by focusing his efforts on tilapia farming.

Under the keen maintenance of the 26-year-old, the family’s farm boasts 13 one-acre fishponds, each containing about 15,000 tilapia, some of different breeds.

Each one-acre pond on the Williams Farm can contain up to 15,000 tilapia. The freshwater fish is versatile and tolerant of different aquaculture environments. (Photo: JIS)

Williams’ responsibilities include feeding the fish twice each day and seeing to the upkeep of the ponds, to prevent overcrowding and pest infestation before reaping day.

Speaking with JIS News, the third-generation farmer explained that the business was started by his grandfather who passed it on to his father and so, “I grew up in farming on a whole”.

He is a past student of St Jago High School, where he showed interest in business subjects, but did not know just what his future would entail.

By the time he turned 20, “I was into the chicken coop [side of the business] with grandma and then she said: ‘Why don’t you go and invest some of your money in the fish farm with your dad and see if you can help the business to grow more?’.”

He reluctantly took that advice. “I was sceptical about it at first, but she really convinced me and this has been my thing ever since. I took my time and fell in love with it,” he reflects.

Tilapia, which is a freshwater fish that inhabits shallow streams, ponds, rivers, and lakes, is versatile and tolerant of different aquaculture environments. It can be farmed in brackish or salt water and in cage systems or ponds, similar to the ones operated by the Williams family.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries and the National Fisheries Authority (NFA) have been calling for an increase in tilapia farming to boost local fish production and to relieve the stress on reef fish. There is also a growing domestic demand for the freshwater delight.

Trey Williams, 26, feeds tilapia in one of the 13 fishponds on the Williams Family farm in St Catherine. (Photo: JIS)

Backed by his own successes, Williams is encouraging others, particularly youngsters, to get involved in the venture, deeming it a ‘good investment’ with guaranteed returns.

“Fish is like chicken… if fish is for sale, somebody is going to want to buy fish,” he argued.

“It takes a lot of resources, but if you can get it started, I would tell you to do it,” Mr. Williams adds.

He admitted that there are a few limitations that come with the practice.

“Some time last year, we ended up losing five ponds of fish because of the rain,” he lamented.

Those ponds are now restored, thanks in part to the NFA, which provided fish and feed. He also received an award from the organisation on Fisherman’s Day, recognising him as a young fish farmer.

Overall, the outgoing young man said of his main economic activity that “when you win, you win”, and noted that more than 4,000 pounds of tilapia can be harvested in one catch.

This is sold to higglers who journey from far, having heard the good news of the Williams family and, of course, the deliciousness and viability of tilapia.

Williams disclosed that there are plans to expand the family farm, which should include more ponds and additional ways to earn a living from the increasingly popular and in-demand fish.

— JIS

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News

Otis Morrison drowned while at Clifton Hill beach, Point Fortin.

GOOD Samaritan Otis Morrison drowned after rescuing an 11-year-old from a mishap at sea on Emancipation Day.

Reports said the Point Fortin father was at Guapo Beach, (formerly Clifton Hill Beach) on Monday when the girl fell off a jet ski and called out for help.

Without hesitation, Morrison, 30 of Salick Trace, Gonzales, Guapo, rushed to save the child. She was rescued.

But while saving her, Morrison reportedly got into difficulties. Other swimmers pulled him out of the water and tried to resuscitate him, but he was unresponsive.

Morrison was taken to the nearby Point Fortin Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

Investigations are taking place.

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