May 20, 2026
The Statistical Institute of Jamaica (STATIN) reported that as of April 2026, the point to point inflation rate was +4.3%, holding steady from the +4.3% rate reported between March 2025 and March 2026. Compared to March 2026, the All Jamaica Consumer Price Index (CPI) declined by 0.3% in April 2026.
The All Jamaica Consumer Price Index (CPI) declined by 0.3% in April 2026, largely reflecting a 4.3% fall in the ‘Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas and Other Fuels’ division. This outturn was primarily driven by lower electricity rates, which led to a 12.5% decline in the index for ‘Electricity, Gas and Other Fuels’. The overall decline was, however, tempered by a 0.6% increase in the ‘Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages’ division, primarily resulting from a 6.2% rise in the ‘Fruits and Nuts’ class, due to higher prices for ripe bananas, oranges and watermelon. Additionally, the ‘Transport’ division rose by 1.1%, mainly due to higher petrol prices.
The All Jamaica point to point inflation rate for the period April 2025 to April 2026 was 4.3%. The divisions contributing most to this outturn were ‘Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages’ (+6.8%), ‘Insurance and Financial Services’ (+5.3%), and ‘Personal Care, Social Protection and Miscellaneous Goods and Services’ (+4.0%).
Within the ‘Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages’ division, the largest impact came from a 26.3% increase in the ‘Fruits and Nuts’ class, reflecting higher prices for ripe bananas, oranges, pineapple and dried coconut. There was also an 11.4% rise in the ‘Fish and Seafood’ class, driven mainly by higher prices for salted fish, mixed fish, canned mackerel and sliced fish.
In the ‘Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas and Other Fuels’ division, the 1.8% increase was influenced primarily by a 4.6% rise in ‘Water Supply and Miscellaneous Services Relating to the Dwelling’, alongside a 3.2% increase in ‘Imputed Rentals for Housing’, reflecting higher water supply rates and household rent.
The 2.3% increase in the ‘Transport’ division was mainly attributable to a 9.4% rise in the ‘Operation of Personal Transport Equipment’ group, driven by higher petrol costs.
MAJOR CPI DIVISION MOVEMENTS
The ‘Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages’ division rose by 0.6%, driven mainly by a 0.6% increase in the ‘Food’ group. This reflected a sharp 6.2% rise in ‘Fruits and Nuts’, with notable increases also in ‘Meat and other parts of slaughtered land animals’ (+0.6%), ‘Milk, other dairy products and eggs’ (+0.6%) and ‘Fish and Seafood’ (+0.5%). The overall increase was partly tempered by declines in ‘Vegetables, tubers, plantains, cooking bananas and pulses’ (-0.7%) and ‘Ready-made food and other food products n.e.c.’ (-1.6%). The ‘Non-Alcoholic Beverages’ group saw all classes rising: ‘Water, Soft drinks and Other non-alcoholic beverages’ (+0.3%), ‘Fruit and vegetable juices’ (+0.2%) and ‘Coffee, Tea, Cocoa’ (+0.2%).
Point to point inflation rate: 6.8%
The index for ‘Alcoholic Beverages, Tobacco and Narcotics’ division rose by 1.7%, driven by a 5.8% increase in the ‘Tobacco’ group, due primarily to higher prices for cigarettes.
Point to point inflation rate: 3.6%
The index for ‘Clothing and Footwear’ division increased by 0.2%. This movement was led by a 0.2% rise in the ‘Clothing’ group, while the ‘Footwear’ group also expanded by 0.1%.
Point to point inflation rate: 2.9%
The index for ‘Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas and Other Fuels’ recorded a 4.3% decline, primarily due to lower electricity rates, which resulted in a 12.5% fall in ‘Electricity, Gas and Other Fuels’. The decline was partially offset by a 0.6% increase in ‘Water Supply and Miscellaneous Services Relating to the Dwelling’, reflecting higher water and sewage rates, and a 0.4% rise in ‘Maintenance, Repair and Security of the Dwelling’, influenced primarily by higher paint prices.
Point to point inflation rate: 1.8%
The index ‘Furnishings, Household Equipment and Routine Household Maintenance’ division rose by 0.1%, with ‘Household Textiles’ and ‘Tools and Equipment for House and Garden’ each registering increases of 0.2%.
Point to point inflation rate: 3.2%
The index ‘Health’ division increased by 0.3%, driven mainly by a 0.3% rise in ‘Medicines and Health Products’, due to higher prices for some over-the-counter pain relievers and antibiotics. The ‘Outpatient Care Services’ group also rose by 0.5%, reflecting higher fees charged by ophthalmologists and dentists.
Point to point inflation rate: 3.7%
The index ‘Transport’ division recorded a 1.1% increase, largely influenced by a 4.8% rise in the ‘Operation of Personal Transport Equipment’ group, driven by higher petrol prices.
Point to point inflation rate: 2.3%
The index ‘Information and Communication’ division was unchanged at 0.0%.
Point to point inflation rate: 1.0%
The index ‘Recreation, Sport and Culture’ division increased by 0.1%, mainly due to price increases for books and stationery.
Point to point inflation rate: 3.4%
The index ‘Education’ division rose by 0.7%, largely due to a 0.9% increase in the ‘Pre-primary and primary education’ group, resulting from increased preparatory school fees.
Point to point inflation rate: 8.8%
The index ‘Restaurants and Accommodation Services’ division rose by 0.1%, reflecting higher prices for meals consumed away from home, alongside a 2.4% increase in accommodation services attributable to higher rates for all-inclusive and European plan hotels.
Point to point inflation rate: 2.1%
The index ‘Insurance and Financial Services’ division was unchanged at 0.0%.
Point to point inflation rate: 5.3%
The index ‘Personal Care, Social Protection and Miscellaneous Goods and Services’ division increased by 0.2%, driven by higher prices for several personal care products and services.
Point to point inflation rate: 4.0%
Individual Divisional Monthly Changes – April 2026
- Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages: (+0.6%)
- Alcoholic Beverages, Tobacco and Narcotics: (+1.7%)
- Clothing and Footwear: (+0.2%)
- Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas and Other Fuels: (-4.3%)
- Furnishings, Household Equipment and Routine Household Maintenance: (+0.1%)
- Health: (+0.3%)
- Transport: (+1.1%)
- Information and Communication: (0.0%)
- Recreation, Sport and Culture: (+0.1%)
- Education: (+0.7%)
- Restaurants and Accommodation Services: (+0.1%)
- Insurance and Financial Services: (0.0%)
- Personal Care, Social Protection and Miscellaneous Goods and Services: (+0.2%)
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