Jinan's CPI Grows 3.4% in First Seven Months

　　he reporter learnt from the National Bureau of Statistics Investigation Team in Jinan, that Jinan's consumer price index (CPI) grew 3.4% year on year in the first seven months of this year. Food prices raised 4.8%, ranked second in eight categories.

　　In month-on-month terms, holiday factor influence the food prices apparently. In January and February，people were busy with purchasing for Spring Festival, food prices raised 5.1% month on month. After the Spring Festival, the food prices fell sharply. Weather is also an important factor for the changing of food prices. Jinan enjoys more rainfall than previous years, which led to higher prices for vegetables and fruits. In last month, the vegetable prices raised nearly 20% month on month. Vegetables are very common food in people's daily lives, so citizens are very sensitive to vegetable prices. In August, the vegetable prices have been falling back. If high temperature and persistant rains come up, the downward trend of vegetable prices may be affected.