Suspension of CET on Dozens of Goods Contributes to Fall in Prices in February

Latest statistics from the National Bureau of Statistics show inflation continues to moderate in Antigua and Barbuda.

The Bureau says consumers paid an average 0.8 per cent less for goods and services during the 12 months up to February.

A decrease of 1.1 per cent in the food and non-alcoholic beverages index was one of the most significant contributors, as was a 0.8 per cent reduction in the energy index.

The non-alcoholic beverage index decreased 3.3% over the same period, as five of the nine major supermarket food groups declined.

The index for fruit and vegetables declined by 11.8% and 3.8%, respectively, while the indexes for fish and seafood rose 12.3%.

Core inflation, which measures price movements outside of the more volatile areas of food and energy, declined by 0.8 per cent.

The price reductions coincided with the temporary suspension of the Common External Tariff on dozens of consumer goods, which came into effect last year.