Annual consumer price index (CPI) growth may stop at 4 percent this year when measures to stabilize food prices kick in, according to a bureau of statistics official. The government has taken a series of initiatives, such as subsidizing farmers to raise pigs, to increase the supply of food, and ease price rises. The measures are expected to take effect in the coming months, Yao Jingyuan, chief economist at the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), was quoted by Xinhua News Agency as saying. China has sufficient supplies of all food except pork, and overall supply outweighs demand, Yao said. The CPI rose by a 33-month high of 4.4 percent in June, driven mainly by increasing food prices, which account for roughly one-third of the CPI basket. Economists expect the figure to go higher in the third quarter, putting more pressure on policymakers. The National Development and Reform Commission said yesterday it will take a tough stance to stabilize prices, punishing businesses that "illegally raise prices". "Food price rises are spreading across the industry," said Li Zhikun with China Jianyin Investment Securities. Manufacturers of instant noodles, for example, announced last month they would raise prices. The central bank initially set a target of 3 percent for annual CPI growth. Its research department revised this figure to 3.2 percent in June. Analysts are warning that price rises may continue into the third quarter. This would mean Yao's forecast could be off the mark.: ]" Z3 V% g: }; [! k" h4 U$ ~4 g
通货膨胀率预期控制在4%以内
; y0 M% u2 A" F2 t9 A 根据一位统计局官员报道,为稳定食品价格,全年消费物价指数(CPI)增长速度将控制在4%。 政府已采取了一系列措施,如资助农户养猪,增加粮食供给,缓解物价上涨. 据新华社报道,国家统计局首席经济学家姚景源表示这些措施将在未来几个月生效。姚说,除了猪肉之外,国家其他食物都有充足的供给,而且供给大于需求。 6月CPI指数上涨4.4%,创33个月来新高;这使约1/3的主要食品价格上涨。 经济学家预计这个指数到第三季度将会更高,这将加大决策者压力。 昨天,国家发展和改革委员会表示将采取强硬措施稳定物价,严惩企业“非法提价”。 中国建银投资证券李志坤说“食品涨价已经影响到工业,比如下个月方便面企业的整体提价。 央行初步设定CPI全年增长3%的目标,6月份研究部门修订该指数为3.2%。 分析家警告物价上涨可能会持续到第三季。这将意味着姚明的预测可能正确。 |