You don't need the statistical institute of Belize to tell you that prices are high and ever increasing - any trip to your corner store will confirm this. But, the numbers confirm it. The SIB's latest stats on the cost of living show that "for the month of March 2022, the country experienced an overall national inflation rate1 of 5.7 percent."
They say this was primarily driven by higher prices for fuel, food items, and LPG, or "butane". Transport costs went up by almost 20% from a year ago, while basic food items were up by 6%. Notable hikes in food prices were seen in pigtail which went up by 70% in just the last year' vegetable oil which went up 36%, tomatoes which went up by 91% and Irish potatoes which went up by 35%.
But - it wasn't all up - there were some price decreases with a few food items, including fresh produce such as red kidney beans, black beans, onions, and cabbages.
Overall, the fist three months of 2022 showed inflation of 4.8% when compared to 2021,
