consumer prices 結果共12筆

Taiwan’s Consumer Price Index indicates a continued slowdown in inflation with a slight rise in March. The Central Bank revises its inflation forecasts as electricity and living costs surge. The public’s economic outlook remains cautiously optimistic.

Lukang Old Street Business District chairperson Huang Shih-chieh expresses concern over rising electricity costs and their impact on food vendors, who may absorb cost increases to avoid raising prices due to declining consumer purchasing power, potentially leading to a vicious inflation cycle.

Taiwan’s DGBAS reports a 4.47% year-on-year increase in medical costs for March, the highest in 18 years, due to the New Health Insurance Co-payment System. The March CPI showed a 2.14% year-on-year increase, with dining-out costs and essential commodity prices decreasing slightly. However, inflationary pressures persist in services like medical costs and rent.

Explore how Taiwan’s core inflation cycle has dramatically shortened from an average of 17.19 months to just under 8 months over recent years, leading to a significant shift in public perception towards inflation. This change is attributed to various factors, including the pandemic, geopolitical risks, and climate change, affecting the country’s inflation trend and resulting in a discrepancy between public feeling and official statistics.

Taiwan’s Minister of Economic Affairs, Wang Mei-hua, addresses concerns over potential water and electricity price hikes. Wang assures no immediate plans for water price increases and remains cautious on addressing the issue. Legislators advocate against compounding effects of electricity rate hikes and warn of potential inflation spikes. Discussions continue on balancing household electricity costs and industry consumption subsidies.

Amid inflationary pressures, Taiwan plans to raise electricity prices, impacting daily life and industry, especially high-energy-consuming businesses like hot pot restaurants. The increase, projected to be across-the-board, could lead to higher operating costs and consumer prices. Taiwan Power Company faces substantial losses, with a potential 20% price surge predicted to affect economic growth and consumer prices. Some workers see the adjustment as a step towards sustainable energy development, encouraging energy-saving and emission-reduction industries.

Global TV sales dip in 2023, with further decline projected for 2024 amidst changing consumer habits and potential material shortages, impacting prices. Experts foresee growth amid economic recovery.

Taiwan’s central bank has announced that it will maintain its interest rate for the third consecutive time in its quarterly board meeting. The decision was influenced by price changes and the need to balance stabilizing consumer prices with sustaining economic growth. Despite rising consumer prices due to natural disasters, the central bank remains optimistic and expects the inflation rate to drop below 2% next year. Forecasts for Taiwan’s GDP growth rate in 2023 are more positive, projected to reach 3.12%. This is supported by increasing private consumption, particularly in tourism and dining, as well as the central bank’s expectation of a global export increase to stimulate local investment and drive economic recovery. In contrast to the Federal Reserve in the U.S., Taiwan’s central bank stated that its monetary policy approach would be adjusted gradually based on the country’s economic conditions. Despite high housing prices, the central bank has decided against imposing stricter measures or withdrawing from market intervention to avoid further impact on the property market.

Nien Hsing Textile Co., Ltd. announces the closure of its denim mill in Houlong Township, Miaoli County, due to significant operational losses. The Taiwan-based global jeans manufacturer faces challenges including fluctuating cotton prices and a tough consumer market.

Taiwan’s domestic egg production is currently sufficient to meet consumer demands, eliminating the need for imports, according to Acting Minister of Agriculture Chen Junne-jih. Speaking at a joint meeting of the Legislative Yuan’s committees, Chen stated that the country produces around 24 million eggs per day, with approximately 34 million laying hens. While the domestic egg supply is stable, Chen highlighted that some schools’ ban on liquid eggs has weakened consumer demand, leading to increased stock and pressure on national egg production. Chen hopes that the ban can be reconsidered and lifted to maintain stable egg supplies. The potential decrease in egg prices depends on consumer demand, and Chen suggests that incorrect dietary restrictions could create market pressures.

Taiwan Central Bank Governor Yang Chin-long addressed the Legislative Yuan’s Finance Committee, leaving open the possibility of further interest rate hikes. While rates in the U.S., U.K., Europe, Canada, and Australia are near their peak, Taiwan is approaching its high point. Previous inflation spikes were caused by typhoon impacts, leading to speculation about rate hikes. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) increased by 3% in October. The Central Bank’s council members unanimously decided to temporarily halt rate raises, but some members agreed to suspend hikes for only one quarter, suggesting aggressive responses to future inflation are possible. Market watchers are observing whether interest rate hikes might resume in December if inflation surpasses 3%. Yang attributed the current inflation to typhoon impacts, particularly rising vegetable and fruit prices, and promised close observation of rate raises in the fourth quarter. Economic growth is expected to remain above 2% this year, but the fourth quarter may see a downward revision to 1%.

The Kaohsiung City Tourism Bureau has fined four hotels in Taiwan between NT＄10,000 to NT＄50,000 for increasing room rates during Coldplay’s concerts on November 11 and 12 at the Kaohsiung National Stadium. To prevent the tourism and accommodation industry from exploiting such opportunities, the Tourism Bureau conducts proactive inspections of hotel room rates. Reports indicate that four hotels were found to have inflated their prices, with one hotel seeing a 60% increase, resulting in a fine of NT＄50,000. The Kaohsiung City Government is making efforts to establish the city as a major global concert destination, with performances by international and domestic acts scheduled for 2023. While these events stimulate the tourism economy and increase demand for hotel accommodations, some operators take advantage of the situation by raising room prices. The director of the Tourism Bureau, Kao Min-Lin, has urged industry operators not to inflate prices during festivals, major events, or concerts. The Tourism Bureau will continue to inspect hotel room rates, maintain tourism and accommodation quality through strict supervision, inspections, and fines, and protect consumer rights and interests.