The line graph illustrates changes in the prices of fresh fruits and vegetables, sugar and sweets, and carbonated drinks in comparison with the consumer price index between 1979 and 2009.
Overall, all categories experienced an upward trend over the period. However, the price of fresh fruits and vegetables increased far more dramatically than the others, particularly after the early 1990s, whereas carbonated drinks showed the slowest and most stable growth.
In 1979, all four categories started at a similar level, at approximately 70. During the early 1980s, prices rose gradually, with sugar and sweets briefly peaking at around 100 in 1982 before falling slightly. By the mid-1980s, all categories had converged at roughly the same level, just above 100.
From the early 1990s onwards, the price of fresh fruits and vegetables rose sharply, reaching around 170 in 1991 and continuing to climb steadily to over 330 by 2008, before ending slightly lower in 2009. In contrast, the consumer price index increased at a more moderate and consistent rate, finishing at approximately 210 in 2009.
Meanwhile, carbonated drinks showed the least significant growth, rising steadily but remaining well below the other categories, ending at around 150 in 2009.