Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Prickly problem of porcine sex life

Diane Coyle
Friday 16 February 1996 00:02 GMT
Comments

The fact that sows dislike mating in very hot weather poses one of the few threats of rising prices during the next few months, writes Diane Coyle.

The current piglet shortage, along with Japan's new taste for bacon, has already added 6 pence to the price of a pound of Danish back bacon and 4 pence a pound to British bacon since November. More increases are on the way - although the Central Statistical Office could offer no predictions yesterday about porcine sexual habits.

Past increases in the cost of metals are still working their way along the price chain. The price of tinned goods has already increased. It will be the turn of aerosol dispensers next. Rises of 5-10 pence in the price of hairspray, shaving foam and body sprays are likely. These aside, the outlook for inflation in the short-term is extraordinarily benign.

The latest mortgage rate reductions will help trim the headline inflation rate again in February. Last month's reductions explained about a third of the drop in the RPI.

The battle on the forecourts of petrol stations has reduced prices by 4-5 pence a litre. This could reduce the headline inflation rate by as much as 0.5 per cent.

The new outbreak of supermarket price war will more than offset small increases in some food costs. Supplies of Spanish oranges and South African grapes have been hit by bad weather, while increases in cheese and bread prices have been announced. But the clash of the supermarket titans will help keep inflation falling.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in