Inflation in Sumatera Utara, October 2019

• In October 2019, two CPI cities in Sumatera Utara were deflation, Sibolga at 0.37 percent and Medan at 0.34 percent. While the other two cities are inflation, namely Pematangsiantar by 0.01 percent and Padangsidimpuan by 0.35 percent. Thus, the combined 4 CPI cities in Sumatera Utara in October 2019 were deflation of 0.28 percent.

• In October 2019, the deflationary field was 0.34 percent or the index decreased from 143.88 in September 2019 to 143.39 in October 2019. Deflation occurred due to a price decline indicated by a decrease in the index of two expenditure groups, namely the group foodstuffs by 2.35 percent and housing, water, electricity, gas and fuel by 0.14 percent. The group that showed an increase in index, namely the processed food, beverages, cigarettes and tobacco group by 1.35 percent; clothing group by 0,33 percent; health group of 0.09 percent; and the transportation, communication and financial services group by 0.32 percent, while the education, recreation, and sports group did not experience changes in the index.

• The main contributors to deflation during October 2019 in Medan include red chili, cayenne pepper, potatoes, mustard greens, mackerel / puffed fish, green chili and dencis fish.

• Out of 23 CPI cities on Sumatra Island, 13 cities recorded deflation. The highest deflation was in Tembilahan of 0.59 percent with CPI of 142.58 and the lowest in Pangkal Pinang of 0.02 percent with CPI of 145.58.