The Consumer Price Index (CPI) in Fiji experienced a decrease, falling to 4.5 percent in December, according to a report from the Fiji Bureau of Statistics (FBoS). The CPI serves as a measure to reflect the average changes in the prices of goods and services purchased by households across the nation, with data collected monthly from urban areas including Suva, Lami, Nasinu, Nausori, Lautoka, Nadi, Ba, and Labasa.

The FBoS highlighted that noticeable increases in prices were seen for items such as pharmaceutical and medical products, alcoholic beverages, tobacco, yaqona, fuels, lubricants, furniture, paint, gas, and clothing. In contrast, no alterations in prices were observed for education-related goods and services.

Conversely, December brought about a decline in prices for various items including offerings from restaurants and cafes, as well as staples like bread, cereals, meats, dairy products, fruits, vegetables, confectionery, and non-alcoholic beverages.

This shift in consumer pricing can be seen as a positive sign for households, as the reduction in prices for essential goods can lead to increased purchasing power for families during a time when financial resilience is crucial.

Overall, while certain segments saw price increases, the overall trend points to a potential easing in the cost of living, which could provide some relief for consumers navigating through economic challenges.