July 16, 2025
The Statistical Institute of Jamaica (STATIN) reported that as of June 2025, the point-to-point inflation rate was +3.8%; 1.4 percentage points lower than the 5.2% recorded between May 2024 to May 2025. Compared to May 2025, the All-Jamaica Consumer Price Index (CPI) increased by 0.3% in June 2025.
The main driver of the monthly decline (0.3%) was a 1.5% decrease in the index for the ‘Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas and Other Fuels’ division, primarily due to lower electricity rates. Additionally, a 0.3% decline in the ‘Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages’ division, influenced by a 4.9% fall in the ‘Fruits and nuts’ class and a 0.8% decrease in the ‘Vegetables, tubers, plantains, cooking bananas and pulses’ class—driven by lower prices for items such as ripe banana, pineapple, sweet potato, pumpkin, and tomato—contributed to the overall reduction. However, this was tempered by a 1.4% increase in the ‘Furnishings, Household Equipment and Routine Household Maintenance’ division, largely due to an approximately 6.7% increase in the National Minimum Wage, effective June 1, 2025.
The All-Jamaica point-to-point inflation rate for the period June 2024 to June 2025 was 3.8%. The main contributors to this increase were the divisions: ‘Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages’ (+4.7%), ‘Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas and Other Fuels’ (+4.6%), and ‘Restaurants and Accommodation Services’ (+6.1%).
The rise in the index for the ‘Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages’ division was primarily due to a 14.1% increase in the ‘Fruits and Nuts’ category and a 5.7% rise in the ‘Meat and Other Parts of Slaughtered Land Animals’ category. Specifically, prices went up for ripe bananas, oranges, watermelons, and dried coconuts in the ‘Fruits and Nuts’ category, while the ‘Meat’ category saw higher prices for chicken mixed parts, whole chicken, chicken frankfurters, and turkey neck.
The increase in the ‘Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas, and Other Fuels’ division was mainly driven by a 7.0% rise in the ‘Imputed Rentals for Housing’ group and a 4.6% increase in the ‘Water Supply and Miscellaneous Services Relating to the Dwelling’ group. These increases were due to higher household rent and water and sewage rates, respectively.
In the ‘Restaurants and Accommodation Services’ division, the primary factor for the 6.1% increase was higher prices for food purchased away from home. This led to a 6.1% rise in the index for the ‘Food and Beverage Serving Services’ group.
MAJOR CPI DIVISION MOVEMENTS
The index of the ‘Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages’ division declined by 0.3% for the period. Within this division, the ‘Food’ group also recorded a 0.3% decrease, mainly due to a 4.9% fall in the ‘Fruits and Nuts’ category and a 0.8% decline in the ‘Vegetables, tubers, plantains, cooking bananas and pulses’ category. These reductions were driven by lower prices for agricultural produce such as ripe banana, pineapple, sweet potato, pumpkin, and tomato. However, these declines were partially offset by increases in other categories, notably ‘Meat and Other Parts of Slaughtered Land Animals’ (+0.5%) and ‘Cereals and Cereal Products’ (+0.3%). The ‘Non-Alcoholic Beverages’ group saw a modest 0.3% increase, with all classes within the group recording gains: ‘Water, Soft Drinks and Other Non-Alcoholic Beverages’ (+0.3%), ‘Fruit and Vegetable Juices’ (+0.2%), and ‘Coffee, Tea, Cocoa’ (+0.2%).
The point-to-point inflation rate for this division was 4.7%.
The index for the ‘Alcoholic Beverages, Tobacco and Narcotics’ division rose by 0.2%. This increase was primarily driven by a 0.3% rise in the ‘Alcoholic Beverages’ group. Within this group, the main contributor was the ‘Beer’ class, which recorded a 0.4% increase, followed by ‘Spirits and Liquors’ and ‘Wine’, each of which saw a 0.2% rise in their respective indices.
The point-to-point inflation rate for this division was 4.3%.
The index for the ‘Clothing and Footwear’ division increased by 0.3%. There was a 0.4% rise in the index of the ‘Clothing’ group, while the ‘Footwear’ group saw a 0.2% increase in its index.
The point-to-point inflation rate for this division was 3.3%.
The index for the ‘Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas and Other Fuels’ division declined by 1.5%. This was primarily due to a reduction in the General Consumption Tax (GCT) on electricity charges for residential customers, which led to a 2.7% decrease in the index for the ‘Electricity, Gas and Other Fuels’ group. Additionally, the ‘Water Supply and Miscellaneous Services Relating to the Dwelling’ group recorded a 1.0% decline, reflecting lower water and sewage rates. Offsetting these decreases to some extent was a 1.5% increase in the index for the ‘Actual Rentals for Housing’ group, driven by higher household rental rates.
The point-to-point inflation rate for this division was 4.6%.
The index for the ‘Furnishings, Household Equipment and Routine Household Maintenance’ division increased by 1.4%. The primary driver was a 1.8% rise in the ‘Goods and Services for Routine Household Maintenance’ group, largely influenced by the increase in the National Minimum Wage effective June 1, 2025. All other groups within the division also recorded increases, with notable contributions from ‘Household Appliances’ and ‘Furniture, Furnishings and Loose Carpets’, which each saw moderate gains.
The point-to-point inflation rate was 3.4%.
The index for the ‘Health’ division rose by 0.2% during the review period. This was mainly driven by a 0.2% increase in the ‘Medicines and Health Products’ group, reflecting higher prices for prescription medications. Additionally, the ‘Outpatient Care Services’ group recorded a 0.5% rise, largely due to increased consultation fees charged by general practitioners.
The point-to-point inflation rate was 4.6%.
The index for the ‘Transport’ division increased by 0.2%. This was mainly driven by a 0.9% rise in the ‘Operation of Personal Transport Equipment’ group, reflecting higher petrol prices. Additionally, the ‘Purchase of Vehicles’ group recorded a 0.1% increase, due to rising motor vehicle price.
The point-to-point inflation rate was -0.3%.
The index for the ‘Personal Care, Social Protection and Miscellaneous Good and Services’ division rose by 0.3%. This increase was primarily due to higher prices for some personal care products and services.
The point-to-point inflation rate was 3.5%.
Individual divisions saw the following changes:
- Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages: (-0.3%)
- Alcoholic Beverages, Tobacco and Narcotics: (+0.2%)
- Clothing and Footwear: (+0.3%)
- Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas and Other Fuels: (-1.5%)
- Furnishing, Household Equipment and Routine Household Maintenance: (+1.4%)
- Health: (+0.2%)
- Transport: (+0.2%)
- Personal Care, Social Protection and Miscellaneous Goods and Services: (+0.3%)
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