The latest data from the Fiji Bureau of Statistics (FBOS) reveals that prices in the food and non-alcoholic beverages segment have remained high, contributing to ongoing inflation challenges in the nation. For January 2025, both measures of inflation reported by FBOS exceeded 4 percent. The average annual inflation rate was documented at 4.6 percent for the year leading up to January 2025, indicating a rise in prices compared to the prior year.
The month-on-month inflation rate shows similar trends, registering at 4 percent when comparing January 2025 with January 2024. The all-item Consumer Price Index (CPI) for January 2025 stood at 127.3, a 2 percent increase over December 2024, with food and non-alcoholic beverages rising by 5.7 percent. Specific items witnessing price hikes in this category include bread, cereals, meat, fish, dairy products, fruits, and non-alcoholic beverages like coffee, tea, and various juices.
Inflation trends were also observed across other categories such as recreation and culture, which spiked by 8 percent due to rising costs in equipment for entertainment, as well as an increase noted in transport and housing costs—all reflecting ongoing pressures from higher fuel and utility prices.
These inflationary pressures echo previous trends reported during the summer months of 2024, when rising food prices led to inflation rates climbing as high as 6.7 percent in June. The Reserve Bank of Fiji previously projected that inflation might stabilize between 4 and 5 percent by the end of the year, responding to market conditions and price adjustments across sectors.
Although these statistics illuminate the challenges faced by consumers in terms of rising cost of living, they also reflect the attention given to monitoring inflation rates and understanding market dynamics. With ongoing vigilance and policy adjustments, there remains hope for potential stabilizations in the economy, allowing for affordability of essential goods in Fiji’s evolving landscape.
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