February 2019, Medan Deflation 0.30 Percent

•           In February 2019, all CPI cities in Sumatera Utara experienced deflation, namely Sibolga by 0.70 percent; Pematangsiantar of 0.29 percent; Medan by 0.30 percent; and Padangsidimpuan by 0.45 percent. Accordingly, the combined 4 CPI cities in Sumatera Utara in February 2019 were deflated by 0.32 percent.

•           In February 2019, Medan deflation of 0.30 percent or a decrease in index from 138.83 in January 2019 to 138.42 in February 2019. Deflation occurs because of a decrease in prices indicated by a decrease in the index of two expenditure groups, namely groups foodstuffs by 1.83 percent and the transportation, communication and financial services group by 0.09 percent. Meanwhile, the group experiencing an increase in index, namely the housing, water, electricity, gas and fuel group by 0.19 percent; clothing group by 1.02 percent; health group at 1.17 percent; the education, recreation and sports group was 0.17 percent, while the processed food, beverages, cigarettes and tobacco groups did not experience changes in the index.

•           The main commodities contributing to deflation during February 2019 in Medan included red chili, chicken, red onion, gasoline, cayenne pepper, green chili, and cooking oil.

•           Of the 23 CPI cities in Sumatra, 21 cities experienced deflation. The highest deflation occurred in Tanjung Pandan at 0.82 percent with CPI of 143.93 and the lowest occurred in Metro at 0.04 percent with CPI of 139.58.