Sharp rise in Dutch Caribbean inflation in second quarter
Inflation on the islands making up the Dutch Caribbean was substantially higher in the second quarter of 2011 than in the first quarter. The rate was highest on St Eustatius, at 10.5 percent, up from 7.0 percent in the first quarter. On Saba and Bonaire, too, inflation rose in the second quarter.
Higher food prices push up inflation on Bonaire
Inflation on Bonaire was 5.0 percent in the second quarter, 0.8 of a percent point higher than in the first quarter. Prices of food and non-alcoholic drinks in particular had an upward effect on inflation.
Food and non-alcoholic drinks cost 6.8 percent more in the second quarter than in the same quarter last year. In the first quarter, prices were only 3.6 percent higher than twelve months previously. Prices of meat, bread and cereal products rose particularly strongly. Alcoholic drinks and tobacco also contributed to the rise in inflation. The price rise for cigarettes was clearly larger in the second than in the first quarter.
Inflation Bonaire
Transport and energy prices raise inflation on St Eustatius
On St Eustatius inflation rose to 10.5 percent in the second quarter of 2011. This was substantially higher than in the first quarter, when it was still 7.0 percent. The main factors increasing inflation were prices of electricity and transport.
Prices of home maintenance and repairs, water and energy were 15.9 percent higher than twelve months previously, as a result of the strong rise in electricity prices. Transport also cost more, especially air tickets, car maintenance and petrol. Prices in hotels and restaurants also had a slightly upward effect on inflation; these were more than a quarter higher in the second quarter than in the same quarter last year. In the first quarter this increase was just over 21 percent.
Inflation St Eustatius
Inflation rise on Saba caused by food and electricity
On Saba inflation was 6.9 percent in the second quarter of 2011. Here, too it is clearly higher than the 4.7 percent measured in the first quarter. Prices of energy and food in particular that contributed to the increase for Saba.
Prices of food and non-alcoholic drinks were 6.9 percent higher in the second quarter than twelve months previously. In the first quarter this increase was only 2.1 percent. Bread, cereals and fruit were among the products that cost more in the second quarter. Prices of home maintenance and repairs, water and energy were 9.4 percent higher than last year. Just as on St Eustatius, this was the result of a strong increase in electricity prices.
Inflation Saba
Previously published figures for 2010 and the first quarter of 2011 have been revised as a result of new information becoming available. The figures are now definite. Figures for the second quarter of 2011 are provisional and will become definite when figures for the third quarter are published.
Source: StatLine, Inflation Dutch Caribbean
This article is also available in Papiamento.