The Fiji Bureau of Statistics has reported a decline in the average annual inflation rate, which for the 12 months leading to February 2026 is at -1.8 percent. This figure reflects a decrease in prices compared to the previous year, as evaluated through the average Consumer Price Index (CPI) from March 2025 to February 2026.
In terms of month-on-month comparisons, inflation for February 2026, when juxtaposed with February 2025, stands at -0.5 percent. Interestingly, the All Items CPI experienced a slight rise of 1.0 percent from January to February 2026, moving from 110.9 to 112.0.
Notably, the steepest increase was observed in food and non-alcoholic beverages, which surged by 2.5 percent. This rise in prices affected a range of items, notably including bread and cereals, meat, fish, seafood, vegetables, confectionery, coffee, tea, cocoa, and soft drinks. Additionally, miscellaneous goods and services saw a 2.2 percent increase, largely due to higher costs associated with hairdressing, personal care products, jewelry, and various personal effects. Alcoholic beverages, tobacco, and narcotics experienced a 1.5 percent rise, with significant hikes in prices for spirits, wine, beer, tobacco, and yaqona.
On the other hand, some sectors did see price declines, including transport with a decrease of 1.5 percent attributed to lower costs for motor vehicles and fuel. Restaurants and hotels also faced a decline of 1.0 percent, primarily in accommodation services, while recreation and culture dipped by 0.3 percent and health services fell by 0.1 percent.
The Consumer Price Index is a critical measure that tracks the average changes in prices for goods and services purchased by households throughout Fiji. The Bureau conducts monthly price collections in urban centers such as Suva, Lami, Nasinu, Nausori, Lautoka, Nadi, Ba, and Labasa, ensuring that the index also accounts for price movements in rural areas.
This inflation trend presents a complex landscape for consumers and policymakers alike, highlighting the varied price dynamics across different sectors. It encourages ongoing vigilance in monitoring and managing economic conditions to foster favorable living standards for the populace.
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