April 16, 2026
The Statistical Institute of Jamaica (STATIN) reported that as of March 2026, the point to point inflation rate was +4.3%, up from the +3.9% rate reported between February 2026 and February 2025. Compared to February 2026, the All Jamaica Consumer Price Index (CPI) increased by 0.3% in March 2026.
The All Jamaica Consumer Price Index (CPI) increased by 0.3% in March 2026, largely reflecting a 2.3% rise in the ‘Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas and Other Fuels’ division. This outturn was primarily driven by higher electricity rates, which led to a 5.1% increase in the index for ‘Electricity, Gas and Other Fuels’. Additionally, there was a 0.6% increase in the ‘Transport’ division, mainly due to higher petrol prices. Offsetting some of this upward movement was a 0.6% decline in the ‘Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages’ division, primarily resulting from a 4.9% fall in the ‘Vegetables, tubers, plantains, cooking bananas and pulses’ class, due to lower prices for several agricultural items.
The All Jamaica point to point inflation rate for the period March 2025 to March 2026 was 4.3%. The divisions contributing most to this outturn were ‘Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages’ (+5.6%), ‘Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas and Other Fuels’ (+4.9%), 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 17.9% increase in the ‘Fruits and Nuts’ class, reflecting higher prices for ripe banana, orange, pineapple and dried coconut. There was also a 12.1% rise in the ‘Fish and other seafood’ class, driven mainly by higher prices for salted fish, sardines, canned mackerel and sliced fish.
In the ‘Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas and Other Fuels’ division, the 4.9% increase was influenced primarily by a 7.2% rise in ‘Electricity, Gas and Other Fuels’, alongside a 3.2% increase in ‘Imputed Rentals for Housing’, reflecting higher electricity rates and household rent.
The 4.0% increase in the ‘Personal Care, Social Protection and Miscellaneous Goods and Services’ division was mainly attributable to a 4.0% rise in the ‘Personal Care’ group, driven by higher costs for services at hairdressing salons and barber shops.
MAJOR CPI DIVISION MOVEMENTS
The ‘Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages’ division declined by 0.6%, driven mainly by a 0.7% fall in the ‘Food’ group. This reflected a sharp 4.9% decline in ‘Vegetables, tubers, plantains, cooking bananas and pulses’ and a 2.8% reduction in ‘Ready-made foods and other food products n.e.c.’, due to lower prices for items such as cabbage, carrot, escallion, pumpkin, tomato and Irish potato. The overall decrease was partly tempered by increases in other food classes, most notably ‘Fruits and nuts’ (+4.2%) and ‘Meat and other parts of slaughtered land animals’ (+0.5%). The ‘Non-Alcoholic Beverages’ group saw all classes rising: ‘Fruit and vegetable juices’ (+0.2%), ‘Coffee, Tea, Cocoa’ (+0.2%) and ‘Water, Soft Drinks and Other Non-Alcoholic Beverages’ (+0.2%).
Point to point inflation rate: 5.6%
The index for ‘Alcoholic Beverages, Tobacco and Narcotics’ division rose by 0.3%, driven by a 0.2% increase in ‘Alcoholic Beverages’ and a 0.6% rise in the ‘Tobacco’ group.
Point to point inflation rate: 2.2%
The index for ‘Clothing and Footwear’ division increased by 0.1%. This movement was led by a 0.1% rise in the ‘Clothing’ group, while the ‘Footwear’ group also expanded by 0.2%.
Point to point inflation rate: 2.8%
The index for ‘Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas and Other Fuels’ recorded a 2.3% increase, primarily due to higher electricity rates, which resulted in a 5.1% rise in ‘Electricity, Gas and Other Fuels’. Additionally, ‘Imputed Rentals for Housing’ increased by 1.7% and ‘Actual Rentals for Housing’ rose by 0.8%, influenced by higher household rental costs. These upward movements were partially offset by a 1.4% decline in ‘Water Supply and Miscellaneous Services Relating to the Dwelling’, reflecting lower water and sewage charges.
Point to point inflation rate: 4.9%
The index ‘Furnishings, Household Equipment and Routine Household Maintenance’ division rose by 0.1%, with ‘Household Textiles’ registering the largest increase at 0.3%, followed by a 0.1% increase in ‘Goods and Services for Routine Household Maintenance’.
Point to point inflation rate: 3.3%
The index ‘Health’ division increased by 0.5%, driven mainly by a 0.5% rise in ‘Medicines and Health Products’, due to higher prices for pain relievers, antibiotics and asthma inhalers. The ‘Outpatient Care Services’ group also rose by 0.4%, reflecting higher fees for dental services.
Point to point inflation rate: 3.8%
The index ‘Transport’ division recorded a 0.6% increase, largely influenced by a 2.5% rise in the ‘Operation of Personal Transport Equipment’ group, driven by higher petrol prices. Additionally, the ‘Purchase of Vehicles’ group increased by 0.1% due to higher motor vehicle prices.
Point to point inflation rate: 1.2%
The index ‘Information and Communication’ division increased by 0.8%, mainly due to a 0.9% rise in ‘Information and Communication Services’, resulting from price increases for mobile communication plans.
Point to point inflation rate: 0.9%
The index ‘Recreation, Sport and Culture’ division increased by 0.1%, mainly due to a 0.1% rise in ‘Newspapers, Books and Stationery’, following higher prices for books and stationery items.
Point to point inflation rate: 3.4%
The index ‘Restaurants and Accommodation Services’ division rose by 0.1%, reflecting higher prices for meals consumed away from home.
Point to point inflation rate: 2.1%
The index ‘Insurance and Financial Services’ division rose by 5.3%, influenced by increases in premiums for third-party and comprehensive motor vehicle insurance.
Point to point inflation rate: 5.3%
The index ‘Personal Care, Social Protection and Miscellaneous Goods and Services’ division increased by 0.1%, driven by higher prices for several personal care products and services.
Point to point inflation rate: 4.0%
Individual Divisional Monthly Changes – March 2026
- Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages: (-0.6%)
- Alcoholic Beverages, Tobacco and Narcotics: (+0.3%)
- Clothing and Footwear: (+0.1%)
- Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas and Other Fuels: (+2.3%)
- Furnishings, Household Equipment and Routine Household Maintenance: (+0.1%)
- Health: (+0.5%)
- Transport: (+0.6%)
- Information and Communication: (+0.8%)
- Recreation, Sport and Culture: (+0.1%)
- Restaurants and Accommodation Services: (+0.1%)
- Insurance and Financial Services: (+5.3%)
- Personal Care, Social Protection and Miscellaneous Goods and Services: (+0.1%)
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