Consumer Price Index
Data from the Statistical Institute of Belize’s most recent monthly Consumer Price Index (CPI) survey showed that for June 2023, the overall national inflation rate stood at 3.3 percent, with an All-Items CPI of 114.1 for that month, compared to a CPI of 110.5 in June of 2022. This was once again the lowest monthly inflation rate recorded since July 2021. It should be noted that consumer prices, which began to increase sharply in the months following the start of the pandemic, continue to rise. Still, the rate at which they are increasing has steadily decelerated since the beginning of this year. The year-to-date inflation rate for the first six months of 2023, compared to the same period in 2022, stood at 5 percent. The ‘Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages’ category continued to be the main driver of inflation, with a year-to-date inflation rate of 13.6 percent. Similarly, prices for ‘Restaurants and Accommodation Services’ were up by 10.7 percent compared to the first six months of 2022, as notable increases were seen in restaurant services and hotel accommodation rates.
Click the following link to read more: Consumer Price Index, June 2023
Merchandise Trade
During June 2023, Belize’s imported goods were valued at $205.5 million, down by 10.6 percent or $24.3 million from the $229.8 million imported in June 2022. From January to June 2023, merchandise imports totaled $1.292 billion, representing a 2.8 percent or $37.6 million decrease from last year, when imports totaled $1.330 billion.
Click the following link to read more: External Trade, June 2023
