Building Material Price Index, Quarter 1, 2009

Press Release No: 22

Date: 27 February 2009

The Building Material Price Index [BMPI] for Quarter 1, 2009 remains constant at 2.6 percent over Quarter 4, 2008 (206.6) and stands at 212.0.

The Index is constructed using retail prices collected for each quarter from selected hardware and building merchants in Suva only. Although building materials may not be purchased at retail price, it was decided to use these due to the wide variation in discounts offered.

Detailed sectional changes over the previous quarter are:

Wood and Related Materials : -1.0%
Lower prices were recorded for dressed treated No.1 dressing grade, cornice and interior grade plywood.

Cement and Related Materials: +0.5%
Higher prices were recorded for cement, standard concrete block, bond beam block, corner block and visqueen.

Iron and Steel: -2.9%
Lower prices were recorded for ditto mild steel in concrete and blockwork, roofing nail and lumberlock strip brace.

Plumbingware: +1.4%
Higher prices were recorded for PVC downpipe, WC suite complete with pan, cistern and seat, stainless sink and standard pre-cast concrete and wash hand basin.

Paint and Glass: +4.4%
Higher prices were recorded for metal primer, undercoat, finishing coat, concrete paint, cemstick, clear and obscure glass.

Floor and Wall Tiles: +2.5%
Higher prices were recorded for floor tiles, ceramic mosaic and vinyl tiles adhesive.

Door and Window Frames: +12.7%
Higher prices were recorded for sliding doors, anodized single and two light aluminium windows.

Electrical Products: +0.5%
Higher prices were recorded for zelemite board, single gangswitch, tube light and fitting and light bulb.

If you want more detailed information on the Building Material Price Index, for quarter 1 2009, please contact the Fiji Islands Bureau of Statistics at:

P.O.Box 2221
Government Buildings
Suva, FIJI
Tel: (679) 331 5822
Fax: (679) 330 3656

OR

On email: info@statsfiji.gov.fj

OR

contact Mr Peni Waqawai on Ph: 3315822 ext. 122.

The Building Material Price Index for Quarter 2, 2009 will be released on 7 July 2009.