SABA/ST. EUSTATIUS–In the second quarter of 2018, consumer prices in Bonaire were three per cent higher than for the same period last year. In the previous quarter, goods and services showed a price increase of 3.8 per cent. In Saba, prices increased by 3.2 per cent and in St. Eustatius by 1.2 per cent year-on-year, it was reported by Central Bureau for Statistics (CBS), based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI).
Consumer prices in Statia were 1.2 per cent higher than one year previously. In the first three months of 2018 prices went up by two per cent.
Prices increased less rapidly due to the price development of airline tickets. In the second quarter of 2018, airfare was the same as last year, but in the first quarter airline tickets were over two per cent more expensive than in 2017.
The price development of fresh vegetables and bread also had a downward effect on the development of consumer prices, CBS stated.
In the second quarter of the year, consumer prices on Saba were on average 3.2 per cent higher than in the same period last year. Prices went up by 2.9 per cent in the previous quarter.
The price development of telephone and Internet services had an upward effect on the development of consumer prices in Saba. The prices of these services were almost seven per cent lower in this year’s second quarter compared to one year earlier. In the first quarter of 2018, this was well over 12 per cent.
The year-on-year CPI growth rate was also higher due to a price increase of building materials. These products showed an increase over three consecutive quarters, with the largest increase in last year’s fourth quarter.
The Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets set new prices for water and electricity on Bonaire as of April 1, 2018. In April, May and June, electricity prices were six per cent higher than last year for the same period; which was 24 per cent in the previous quarter.
This difference had a curbing effect on the development of consumer prices. An increase in water prices, on the other hand, had an upward effect. Just as with electricity, the price development of fresh fruit also had a downward effect.
Source: The Daily Herald https://www.thedailyherald.sx/islands/78755-consumer-prices-increase-but-less-rapidly-in-statia-bonaire
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