Sharp declines in food prices dragged the consumer price index (CPI) forHanoi in April down for the first time in 24 months, the HanoiStatistics Office has said.
The index this month eased0.03 percent from last month's figure, although it increased 9.52percent over the same period last year.
Prices of cerealproducts decreased 1.98 percent over March, with rice prices fallingsharply thanks to abundant supplies, as provinces in the Cuu Long (Mekong ) Delta region had reaped a bumper autumn-winter crop.
While prices of beef, fish and seafood remained stable, declines inpork prices caused food prices to fall significantly 0.79 percent overlast month.
In April, eight groups of commodities sawmarginal increases, while three groups declined: restaurants andcatering services dropped 0.65 percent; post and telecommunications fellby 0.04 percent; and housing, electricity, water, fuel and buildingmaterials were down 0.64 percent.
The decline in cookinggas, down about 6,000 VND (28 US cents) from the beginning of thismonth, were largely responsible for price cuts in the third area.-VNA