Taiwan Dec. consumer prices up 3.34 percent

Taiwan's consumer price index (CPI) in December was up 3.34 percent year-on-year due to a rise in food prices, the government said yesterday.

The December CPI was up a seasonally adjusted 0.24 percent month-on-month, the Directorate General of Budget, Accounting and Statistics said.

The December CPI growth figures compare with a 4.80 percent year-on year increase and a seasonally adjusted 0.37 percent month-on-month rise in November.

The December core price index, which excludes prices of fresh vegetables and fruits, fishery products and energy, was up 2.57 percent from a year earlier and up 0.11 percent from November.

The wholesale price index in December rose 8.51 percent year-on-year and rose a seasonally adjusted 0.83 percent month-on-month.

The CPI registered an average 1.80 percent rise in 2007, against the government forecast of 1.65 percent.

The 2007 core price index added 1.35 percent, while the wholesale price index increased 6.45 percent.