SIB Releases Latest Stats

The Consumer Price Index for January 2015 has been released, indicating that prices were down one point one percent last month.  That comparison is made against the same time period for 2014.  Food prices also declined by two point four percent in January, even with increases in some products which include beef, pork, fish, seafood and potatoes.  In the categories of housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels and home rental there was a nominal increase of one point five percent over last year.  This was counterbalanced by a significant reduction in the average cost of butane.  In all nine municipalities, Punta Gorda was the only town to record an increase in consumer prices for the month.  The External Trade Bulletin, on the other hand, reveals that the total imports for January stood a little over one hundred and forty-one million dollars.  This represents a two point six percent increase over last January.  Meanwhile, exports fell from thirty-eight million dollars to twenty-eight point nine million dollars, a decline that is being attributed to a reduction of crude petroleum exports.