Inflation on Bonaire was 2.5 percent in the first quarter of 2013, slightly down on the fourth quarter of 2012. On St Eustatius, inflation was 3.9 percent in the first quarter, on Saba it was 1.2 percent. Year-on-year price rises were much smaller on these two islands than in the fourth quarter of 2012. This was mainly the result of a reduction in electricity prices.
Inflation slightly down on Bonaire
Inflation on Bonaire fell to 2.5 percent in the first quarter of 2013. In the fourth quarter of 2012 it was still 2.7 percent. Food prices pushed down inflation: these prices were 0.8 percent lower than in the first quarter of 2012. In the fourth quarter of 2012, food prices were 0.4 percent higher than twelve months previously. Furniture and household appliances also cost slightly less and helped to temper inflation. Prices of recreation and culture had an opposite effect on the other hand. And prices of electricity and water are still higher than last year, following a price increase at the end of 2012.
Lower electricity prices push down inflation sharply on St Eustatius
Inflation fell substantially on St Eustatius in the first quarter of 2013, to 3.9 percent. This is 1.0 percent points lower than in the fourth quarter of 2012. By far the most important reason for this was the substantial decrease in electricity prices. As a result, the component housing, water and energy, which includes electricity, cost 1.8 percent less than in the same period last year. In the fourth quarter of 2012 the housing component was still 5.8 percent higher than twelve months previously. Food prices also had a downward effect on inflation. Food was 2.7 percent more expensive in the first quarter of 2013. In the previous quarter it still cost 4.9 percent more.
Saba inflation also curbed substantially by lower electricity prices
On Saba, too, first quarter inflation was substantially lower at 1.2 percent than the 2.4 percent of the previous quarter. Just as on St Eustatius, the main cause of the drop was a decrease in electricity prices. But other groups also contributed to the fall on Saba. Although prices of food, transport and miscellaneous goods and services were slightly higher than twelve months previously, the rise was smaller than in the previous quarter. As a result, these groups has a downward effect on inflation.
Provisional figures
Figures for the first quarter of 2013 are provisional and will become definite when the figures for the second quarter of 2013 are published. The consumer price index for St Eustatius for the fourth quarter of 2012 has been revised from 4.6 to 4.9 percent.