Inflation rate up 4.7% in September

By William Ysaguirre (Freelance Writer)

BELIZE CITY, Thurs. Oct. 29, 2026

   The cost of living in Belize increased by 4.7 percent last month, compared to September last year, the Statistical Institute of Belize (SIB) reported on Wednesday, October 28. This was based on the Consumer Price Index: 126.2 based on the average basket of goods and services a household bought in September, which was 4.7 percent higher than the 120.5 index of a year ago.

   These cost increases were driven primarily by increases in the cost of transport, food and non-alcoholic beverages, housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels. Over the past 5 years, the index has increased from 104.5 in August 2021 to 125.9 in August 2026.

    Transport prices increased by 10.7 percent over a year ago, as various types of fuel increased in price. The average price per gallon for regular gasoline increased by $1.76, from $12.01 to $13.78; premium gas prices went up by $1.40, from $13.21 to $14.62; and diesel prices went up by $3.77, from $11.92 to $15.69. This drove up bus and taxi fares by 15.2 percent, and air fares increased accordingly.

   The cost of food and non-alcoholic beverages increased by 4.3 percent, as the cost of meat went up 7.7 percent. Specifically, poultry prices increased by 5.9 percent, while the price of ground beef increased by 11.8 percent, from $7.64/lb last year to $8.54 last month. Beef steak prices inched up 0.7 percent, from $11.44/lb to $11.53/lb. The price of stew pork went up 4.8 percent, from $8.19/lb to $8.58; and whole chicken prices increased 9.8 percent, from $3.21/lb to $3.53/lb. There was an 11.4 percent hike in turkey prices, from $5.78/lb to $6.44/lb. Only the price of fish was lower—decreasing 5.7 percent from $9.75/lb last year to $9.19/lb last month.

   The prices of fruits and vegetables went up 5.0 percent, as the price of onions increased 10.2 percent, from $3.05 to $3.36/lb. The price of sweet corn increased 8.3 percent, from $5.64 for a pack of 3 ears to $6.11. The cost of Irish potatoes went up 10.7 percent, from $3.14 to $3.48/lb. Carrot prices increased 4.5 percent, from $3.00 to $3.13/lb; and the price of plantains went up 1.3 percent. Broccoli and cauliflower prices increased 2.6 percent, from $5.63/lb to $5.77/lb. Orange prices went up 16.6 percent to 36 cents each, and the cost of grapefruits increased by 15.9 percent to 65 cents each. Pineapple prices increased 10.9 percent, from $1.27/lb to $1.40/lb; and the price of grapes jumped 8.9 percent, from $10.27/lb to $11.19/lb.

   Health service costs last month increased 6.4 percent over a year ago, as the cost of inpatient medical services, as well as hospitalization fees and surgery fees, went up. Clothing and footwear prices increased by 3.1 percent; and the cost of furnishings, household cleaning and maintenance products increased 2.5 percent.

   The cost of housing, water, electricity, and cooking gas increased by 4.4 percent last month, as electricity rates increased at the beginning of the year and rose further with the 5 percent Cost of Power Adjustment (COPA) authorized by the Public Utilities Commission. Water rates also increased, so that a household consuming 4,500 gallons per month which cost $86.38 in September 2025, had to pay $91.13 last month.

   Geographically, San Ignacio and Santa Elena experienced the highest year-to-date inflation rate of 6.7 percent, while San Pedro Town experienced the lowest inflation rate of 3.3 percent.