Consumer Price Index for December 2019

There was a slight increase in consumer prices in the month of December 2019 when compared to December 2018.  The All-Items Consumer Price Index rose slightly by point two percent in the basic basket of selected goods and services. According to the figures from the Statistical Institute of Belize, reductions in prices for fuel, rent and Liquefied Petroleum Gas were not enough to offset the higher prices seen in numerous food items, international airfares and tertiary education fees.  The annual inflation rate for 2019 stood at zero point two percent. Prices for items in the Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages’ category increased by point eight percent due to a spike in fresh vegetables and meat products.  As to imports in December, the bill rose to one hundred and sixty-two million dollars with the biggest increase recorded in ‘Manufactured Goods’ such as metal structures and galvanized steel coils.  The figures show that generally in most sectors, imports were up in the busy Christmas season and all in all merchandise imports for 2019 amounted to one point ninety-seven billion dollars.