La Isla Bonita Records Highest Inflation at 3.4% for May 2025

According to the latest report from the Statistical Institute of Belize, the inflation rate rose by 1.0% in May 2025. The All-Items Consumer Price Index (CPI) increased from 118.5 in May 2024 to 119.6 in May 2025, driven mainly by higher food and housing costs.

The ‘Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages’ category recorded a 2.0% rise, with significant increases in the prices of fruits (7.8%) and cereal products like bread (2.5%). Beverage prices surged by 8.2%, fueled by costlier fruit juices (14%), purified water (9%), and soft drinks (8.8%).

Housing-related expenses rose by 2.3%, reflecting higher rental prices and an increase in liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), which jumped from $120.62 to $129.50 per 100-pound cylinder.

Conversely, transport costs fell by 3.3%, largely due to lower fuel prices. Diesel dropped by $1.30, regular gasoline by $1.11, and premium by $0.64. Despite this, intercity bus and taxi fares rose.

SIB also reported that San Pedro Town had the highest inflation at 3.4%, while Independence Village saw a 2.3% decrease.

The year-to-date inflation rate for the first five months of 2025 stood at 1.5%.