By Zoila Palma: Belize recorded a national inflation rate of 2.9 percent in April 2026, driven largely by higher fuel, food and electricity prices, according to the latest Consumer Price Index survey released by the Statistical Institute of Belize (SIB).
The All-Items Consumer Price Index, which measures overall price levels for consumer goods and services, rose to 123.2 in April 2026, up from 119.6 recorded during the same month last year.
The categories contributing most significantly to the increase were Transport, Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages, and Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas and Other Fuels.
Together, these sectors accounted for more than three-fourths of the overall rise in consumer prices when compared to April 2025. Transport costs recorded the largest increase, climbing by an average of 8.0 percent due to higher prices for all major vehicle fuels.
Diesel saw the steepest fuel increase, with average prices jumping by $3.02 per gallon, from $11.66 in April 2025 to $14.68 in April 2026.
Regular gasoline increased by $1.89, moving from $12.03 to $13.92 per gallon, while premium gasoline rose by $1.46, from $13.24 to $14.71.
Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverage prices also climbed by 2.6 percent, fueled by higher costs for meats, sugar and fresh fruits. Meat products, including pork, beef and poultry, rose by 3.9 percent, while sugar prices increased sharply by 16.1 percent and fruits such as limes and avocados rose by 9.7 percent.
Housing-related expenses also contributed to inflation, with the Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas and Other Fuels category increasing by 2.0 percent compared to April 2025.
SIB attributed this rise primarily to higher electricity tariffs introduced earlier this year and increased liquefied petroleum gas prices.
The average cost of a 100-pound cylinder of LPG rose by $8.84, moving from $127.63 in April last year to $136.50 this April.
The post SIB April report: Fuel, Food and Electricity costs rise appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
By Zoila Palma: Belize recorded a national inflation rate of 2.9 percent in April 2026, driven largely by higher fuel, food and electricity prices, according to the latest Consumer Price Index survey released by the Statistical Institute of Belize (SIB). The All-Items Consumer Price Index, which measures overall price levels for consumer goods and services,
The post SIB April report: Fuel, Food and Electricity costs rise appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
