The country's consumer price index (CPI) this month is expected to be stable or slightly increase over the previous month due to balanced demand and supply as well as strengthened price stabilisation.

According to the Ministry of Finance's Price Management Department, in previous years, several factors, including hot weather and high demand, often led to price rise in the month of May.

The price of building material is expected to be stable. However, the retail price of construction steel in the domestic market will be slightly higher (Photo: cafef.vn)

The department said that the price of rice this month remains stable because of an increase in supply in the world market; however, its demand stays unchanged, and hence, its price continues to decrease both inside and outside the country.

The price of fertilisers will also remain stable as its supply has been abundant.

The price of input material for feeding dropped in the world market thanks to favourable weather conditions in some main cultivation areas.

The price of building material is expected to be stable. However, the retail price of construction steel in the domestic market will be slightly higher.

Milk for babies under two years of age is expected to become slightly cheaper this month.

In the goods basket for CPI calculation, sugar and petroleum prices will be hiked.

The department noted that sugar output in April was lower than the previous month at 200,000 tonnes, while its demand will be higher due to the hot weather.

(Source: VNA)