In Q3 2018, consumer prices on Bonaire were 3.5 percent higher than one year previously. Prices also rose on St Eustatius and Saba, by 1.1 and by 4.4 percent year-on-year respectively. This is reported by Statistics Netherlands (CBS) on the basis of the consumer price index (CPI).
On Bonaire, the price increase was 3.5 percent in Q3, versus 3.0 percent in Q2. Consumer prices rose more rapidly mainly due to electricity prices rising by 18 percent on average relative to the previous year. In Q2 2018, this was still 6 percent. The price of petrol went up by nearly 17 percent on an annual basis.
Not all prices rose on Bonaire. For example, fresh fruit and fresh vegetables became cheaper than one year previously.
Consumer prices on Statia 1.1 percent up
In Q3, consumer prices on St Eustatius rose by 1.1 percent year-on-year, against 1.2 percent in Q2. The lower prices of food products in particular, e.g. fresh fruit and potatoes, diluted the effect of the consumer price increase. On the other hand, the price development of electricity had an upward effect on St Eustatius as well.
Prices further up on Saba
In Q3, consumer prices on Saba were 4.4 percent up on the previous year; this was still 3.2 percent in the previous quarter. Food products and toiletries became more expensive in particular. In addition, the price of electricity also rose on Saba: by over 10 percent year-on-year. Clothing items, on the other hand, went down in price.
Provisional figures
Figures referring to Q3 2018 are provisional and will be definite upon publication of the figures over Q4 2018.
Source: StatLine: Caribbean Netherlands
https://opendata.cbs.nl/#/CBS/en/dataset/84046ENG/table?dl=ED27
Adjustment of figures
The index figures for the series 2017=100 have been adjusted for Bonaire and St Eustatius. The figures for Saba remain unchanged. The adjustments follow a correction to the changed base year.