Antigua and Barbuda recorded a decline in consumer prices over the past year, according to the latest data released by the Statistics Division within the Ministry of Finance and Corporate Governance.
The Consumer Price Index (CPI), the country’s main measure of inflation, fell by 1.3 percent for the twelve months ending January 2026. The decrease was largely driven by lower average prices in transport, miscellaneous goods and services, and furnishings and household equipment.
Transport services recorded the most significant decline, falling 15.2 percent over the period. The reduction was attributed primarily to a sharp drop in airline fares, particularly flights to Barbados. Average ticket prices declined from $2,576.20 to $1,701.32 during the year.
Prices for miscellaneous goods and services also fell by 4.8 percent, with the largest decreases recorded in hairdressing and personal grooming establishments, which dropped by 25.5 percent, and personal care appliances and products, which declined by 2.5 percent.
The food index decreased by 2.1 percent, with notable price reductions recorded for vegetables, fruits, fish, and seafood. Fresh and chilled vegetables experienced the steepest decline within the category, falling 16.3 percent, while fresh or chilled fruit prices dropped 2.5 percent.
Meanwhile, the index for all items excluding food and energy declined by 1.4 percent, reflecting price decreases in transport services, miscellaneous goods and services, and household furnishings and equipment.
On a month-to-month basis, the CPI declined 1.9 percent in January 2026 compared with December 2025. The Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages Index dropped 4.9 percent, while the index for all items excluding food and energy fell 0.9 percent.
Within the food category, the index fell 5.0 percent, with seven of the nine major supermarket food groups recording declines. The largest decreases were seen in meat and meat products (-8.4 percent), fish and seafood (-8.0 percent), vegetables (-7.2 percent), and fruit (-6.9 percent). However, bread and cereals rose 0.5 percent, while sugar, jams, honey, chocolate, and confectionery increased 0.1 percent.
The Non-Alcoholic Beverages Index also declined by 4.1 percent, driven by a drop in the price of soft drinks and concentrates (-8.5 percent) and mineral waters (-4.3 percent).
The Statistics Division explained that the CPI measures changes in the average prices of goods and services purchased by households and is widely used as the primary indicator of inflation. Prices are collected monthly and quarterly from supermarkets and other suppliers, and the index is calculated using household spending patterns derived from regular household budget surveys.
The full CPI report for January 2026 is available here: Monthly CPI Janaury 2026
