Higher costs to drive up commodity prices  

新年伊始现“涨声” 今年中国物价上涨压力犹存

虽然中国月度CPI数据2012年连创新低，已确定能完成全年调控目标。但2013新年伊始，从高端化妆品到景区门票，从肉禽蛋奶到洗车保养，中国市场响起“涨声”。

Beijing(CNS)-- Higher costs are expected to push China's commodity prices up this year, Zhao Xijun, a finance professor at Renmin University of China, said on Saturday.

Zhao cited data released Friday by the National Bureau of Statistics, saying that the prices of staple foods in 50 cities increased from December 21 to 30, with the price of cucumbers growing by 30 percent compared to the second half of November.

The prices of products and services ranging from cosmetics to auto maintenance have all gone up since the beginning of the new year, according to the statistics.

The increase in costs is the major driver behind the skyrocketing prices, Zhao said.

Increased costs of raw materials, fuel, logistics, and labor, in particular, will all push up commodity prices, he added.