Inflation in Antigua and Barbuda fell by 1.3% in the twelve months to January 2026, reflecting lower prices in key consumer categories including transport, food and household goods, according to the latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) report released Wednesday by the National Bureau of Statistics.

The data also showed prices declining 1.9% between December 2025 and January 2026, indicating easing cost pressures for households at the start of the year.

Transport costs recorded some of the sharpest declines over the year. The index for transport services fell 15.2%, largely due to a significant drop in airline fares, particularly on routes to Barbados. Average ticket prices fell from $2,576.20 to $1,701.32 during the period.

Food prices also contributed to the overall decline in inflation. The food index decreased 2.1% year-on-year, with falling prices recorded for vegetables, fruits and fish and seafood. Fresh and chilled vegetables saw the largest drop, declining 16.3% compared with the previous year.

Short-term price movements were even more pronounced in supermarkets. The Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages index fell 4.9% in January compared with December, with seven of the nine major food groups recording decreases.

Among the largest monthly declines were:

Meat and meat products: down 8.4%

Fish and seafood: down 8.0%

Vegetables: down 7.2%

Fruit: down 6.9%

Personal services also registered significant price reductions. The index for miscellaneous goods and services fell 4.8% year-on-year, with hairdressing salons and personal grooming establishments recording a steep 25.5% decline in prices.

Overall, the statistics show broad price declines across several sectors of the economy. Of the 12 major spending categories measured in the CPI, seven recorded decreases over the year.

The Consumer Price Index tracks changes in the prices of goods and services typically purchased by households and is widely used as the main measure of inflation. Prices are collected monthly and quarterly from supermarkets and other businesses to gauge movements in the cost of living.

The January figures suggest that falling transport and food prices played a major role in moderating inflation pressures in Antigua and Barbuda during the period.