Inflation in Antigua and Barbuda climbed to 3.1 percent in April 2026 compared with the same period last year, driven largely by higher transportation costs, particularly airline fares, according to the latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) report released by the National Bureau of Statistics.
The April figures show that while overall inflation remains moderate, significant increases in the cost of transportation, recreation, and education continue to place upward pressure on consumer prices across the economy.
The report indicates that the All-Items Consumer Price Index increased by 3.1 percent between April 2025 and April 2026, while the All-Items Less Food and Energy Index rose by 4.0 percent. Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages recorded a comparatively modest increase of 1.2 percent over the twelve-month period.
Transport emerged as the strongest contributor to annual inflation, recording an 18.8 percent increase. Within that category, Transport Services surged by 60.3 percent, reflecting steep increases in regional and international airline fares. Recreation and Culture prices rose by 30.2 percent, while Education costs increased by 13.3 percent.
Despite persistent concerns about food prices globally, Antigua and Barbuda experienced relatively low food inflation during the period under review. The Food Index increased by just 0.3 percent over the year, with higher prices for fish and seafood, up 11.0 percent, and vegetables, up 8.0 percent, offset by declines in several other food categories.
Fruit prices fell by 12.9 percent year-on-year, while Milk, Cheese and Eggs declined by 6.5 percent and Meat and Meat Products decreased by 5.2 percent.
On a month-to-month basis, consumer prices rose by 1.0 percent in April compared with March 2026. Much of that increase was attributed to a rebound in food prices following a decline in March.
The Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages Index increased by 2.4 percent during the month. Vegetable prices rose by 7.5 percent, with Fresh and Chilled Vegetables recording their largest monthly increase since November 2024. Fruit prices increased by 4.7 percent, while Fish and Seafood rose by 3.9 percent.
Non-Alcoholic Beverages also recorded a notable monthly increase of 2.6 percent, driven primarily by higher prices for fruit and vegetable juices and soft drinks.
Transportation costs continued to trend upward during April, with Transport Services increasing by 11.7 percent over the month. The National Bureau of Statistics attributed the increase to a 14.0 percent rise in average airline fares.
Other categories posting monthly gains included Recreation and Culture, which rose by 14.5 percent, and Health, which increased by 2.4 percent.
The report showed a mixed inflation environment across the economy. Of the 12 main expenditure categories monitored by the Statistics Division, seven recorded annual price increases while five experienced declines.
Economists often view transportation and travel-related costs as key indicators of inflationary pressure in tourism-dependent economies such as Antigua and Barbuda. The sharp increase in airfares suggests continued strong demand for regional and international travel, even as food inflation remains relatively subdued.
The National Bureau of Statistics noted that the CPI remains the country’s primary measure of inflation, tracking changes in the prices of goods and services purchased by households. Prices are collected monthly and quarterly from businesses throughout Antigua and Barbuda and are used to monitor changes in the cost of living.
This version is written in a newspaper style and emphasizes the main news angle: inflation increased to 3.1%, largely due to rising transportation and travel costs.
