By Aaron Humes: The rate of inflation continues to slow, as according to the Statistical Institute of Belize consumer prices saw only a slight increase of 0.04 percent in January 2026, bringing the overall Consumer Price Index (CPI) to 119.86, up from 119.81 in January 2025.
The categories of food and non-alcoholic beverages, housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels, health, and restaurants and accommodation services all experienced price increases this month. However, these rises were tempered by a significant decrease in transportation costs, primarily driven by falling fuel prices, which contributed to a decline in the transport category.
Food Prices on the Rise
The inflation rate for ‘Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages’ was recorded at 0.9 percent, largely due to a 0.6 percent increase in food prices and a notable 2.4 percent rise in non-alcoholic beverage costs. Specific items saw significant price hikes, including fresh meats, which rose by 2.3 percent, along with increased costs for cereal products such as bread and baked goods. On the beverage front, instant coffee prices spiked by 9.7 percent, alongside rises in fruit juices and purified water.
Housing Costs Increase
The sector encompassing ‘Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas and Other Fuels’ showed an inflation rate of 0.8 percent, driven primarily by higher rental costs. Notably, the price of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) saw a marked increase, with the average price for a 100-pound cylinder rising by $4.81, making it $130.63 in January 2026.
Health Services Become More Expensive
Health-related costs also surged, with prices in this category increasing by 4.3 percent. This was attributed to higher fees for outpatient services, medicines, and medical supplies. Noteworthy spikes included an 11 percent increase in costs for doctor visits and a 5.9 percent rise in medical service fees.
Dining Out Costs More
The Restaurants and Accommodation Services category recorded a 1.6 percent increase, reflecting the rising costs of dining experiences as more consumers return to restaurants and cafes.
Transportation Costs Decline
In contrast, the transport sector revealed a significant decrease, with prices dropping by 4.5 percent compared to January 2025. This decline can be primarily attributed to lower fuel prices across the board, with premium gasoline seeing a drop of $1.12 per gallon, while regular gasoline fell by $1.03, and diesel prices decreased by $0.52.
The post Statistical Institute: Consumers experience marginal price increases in January 2026 appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
By Aaron Humes: The rate of inflation continues to slow, as according to the Statistical Institute of Belize consumer prices saw only a slight increase of 0.04 percent in January 2026, bringing the overall Consumer Price Index (CPI) to 119.86, up from 119.81 in January 2025. The categories of food and non-alcoholic beverages, housing, water,
The post Statistical Institute: Consumers experience marginal price increases in January 2026 appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
