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The average price level in the Caribbean Netherlands has risen in Q1 2016 compared to a year ago. The price increase comes after a period of negative inflation. On the basis of the consumer price index (CPI), Statistics Netherlands (CBS) reports that consumer prices rose on all three islands of the Caribbean Netherlands in Q1 2016.
Bonaire
The inflation rate on Bonaire has risen to 0.5 percent over the first three months of 2016. For the first time since Q4 2014 consumer prices are above the level of one year previously. This is largely due to petrol price developments. The price of petrol continued to fall, but on an annual basis the price drop in the past quarter was much more substantial than in this quarter. Electricity and gas price developments also contributed to the higher inflation rate. Clothing and footwear also became more expensive, but year-on-year food and soft drink prices have declined by 2 percent during three consecutive quarters.
St Eustatius
The rate of inflation on St Eustatius rose 0.4 percent in Q1. On St Eustatius too, year-on-year consumer prices have risen for the first time since Q4 2014. Electricity price developments contributed most to inflation. The price of electricity remained stable but fell by nearly 12 percent one year ago. Initially, this price drop pushed inflation down but the effect has worn off by now. Petrol price developments also contributed to inflation. Petrol became cheaper on St Eustatius, just as on Bonaire, but on an annual basis the price drop in the past quarter was much larger than in this quarter. Food and soft drink prices curbed inflation: prices of eggs and potatoes dropped by more than 21 and more than 11 percent respectively.
Saba
The rate of inflation on Saba was 0.4 percent in Q1 2016, versus – 0.6 percent in Q4 2015. Food and soft drink prices rose relative to the preceding quarter. The price of flour increased by nearly 20 percent, fruit juice by nearly 12 percent and fresh fruit by 7 percent. The price of petrol is also higher than last quarter, but still more than 15 percent below the level of twelve months previously.
Provisional data
The status of data referring to Q1 2016 is provisional and will become final simultaneously with the publication of data over Q2 2016.
Bron: StatLine: Caribisch Nederland http://statline.cbs.nl/Statweb/publication/?DM=SLNL&PA=81122NED&D1=0-2&D2=0&D3=a&D4=a&VW=T