Antigua and Barbuda recorded a 1.7 per cent increase in its Consumer Price Index (CPI) for the twelve-month period ending March 2026, according to the Statistics Division within the Ministry of Finance and Corporate Governance.
The rise in headline inflation was driven largely by higher costs in transport services, despite notable declines in food prices over the same period.
The index for All Items Less Food and Energy rose by 2.5 per cent year-on-year, reflecting significant increases in several service-related categories. Transport Services recorded the sharpest jump, climbing 47.6 per cent due to higher regional and international airfare costs. Other contributors included Education, which rose 13.3 per cent, Recreation and Culture at 5.7 per cent, and Restaurants and Hotels, which increased by 4.9 per cent.
In contrast, food prices declined over the period. The Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages index fell by 1.4 per cent year-on-year, with the Food Index alone dropping 1.8 per cent. Prices for fruit saw the steepest decline, falling 18.6 per cent, largely due to a 25.2 per cent drop in fresh or chilled fruit. Meat and meat products also recorded a 7.9 per cent decrease, alongside reductions in pork, poultry, and processed meat categories. Bread and cereals declined by 2.1 per cent.
On a month-to-month basis, the CPI increased by 0.8 per cent in March 2026, following no change in February. This uptick was attributed primarily to higher transport service costs and an increase in actual rent for housing.
The Food Index fell 1.5 per cent during the month, reversing a 0.4 per cent increase recorded in February. Declines were seen across several categories, including fruit, fish and seafood, meat products, and bread and cereals. Meanwhile, the Non-Alcoholic Beverages index rose 4.8 per cent, driven by higher prices for coffee, tea, cocoa, soft drinks, and juices.
The All Items Less Food and Energy index increased 1.3 per cent for the month, supported by a 6.2 per cent rise in actual rent for housing and a 1.2 per cent increase in transport services, reflecting higher airline fares.
The Consumer Price Index is the primary measure of inflation, tracking average changes in the prices of goods and services purchased by households. Data is collected from a range of retailers and service providers and is weighted based on household expenditure patterns.
The full CPI report for March 2026 is available from the National Bureau of Statistics.
