Starting 2010, several commodities with high consumption value such as rice experienced a significant price increase. This increase in rice prices was not only caused by the scarcity of production during the lean season but also due to the increase in the selling price (HPP) of grain and rice that had been set by the government at the beginning of last month. In addition to rice, several other important commodities, granulated sugar and red chilies also experienced an increase, so that in general inflation in Bandar Lampung City in January 2010 was 0.49 percent. The group that contributed most to inflation was the processed food, beverage, cigarette and tobacco group due to the increase in the price of filtered kretek cigarettes, granulated sugar, white cigarettes and soft drinks. In addition to processed food, beverages, cigarettes and tobacco, several other groups also experienced inflation except for the clothing group which experienced deflation. Inflation in Bandar Lampung City was ranked 56th out of 66 cities whose price developments were observed. All cities experienced inflation, where the highest inflation occurred in Maumere at 3.56 percent, while the lowest inflation occurred in Palu at 0.12 percent.
Based on the calculation of the consumer price index (CPI), inflation occurred due to an increase in the index in six expenditure groups, namely foodstuffs 0.56 percent, processed foods, beverages, cigarettes and tobacco, housing 1.50 percent, housing 0.26 percent, health services 0.49 percent, education, recreation and sports group 0.11 percent and transportation and communication group 0.01 percent.
Several commodities that predominantly contributed to inflation include rice, filtered kretek cigarettes, spinach, household fuel, granulated sugar, red chilies, house contracts, preserved anchovies, catfish and kale. Inflation in January 2010 was also inflation based on the calendar year (point to point) which was 0.49 percent, while year on year inflation was 3.68 percent. Meanwhile, nationally in December 2009 there was inflation of 0.33 percent and point to point and year on year inflation of 2.78 percent.
