Consumer prices in Antigua and Barbuda have fallen for the first time since November 2020, with the Statistics Division reporting a 1.2 percent decline in the inflation rate for the 12 months ending April 2025.
The drop was led by a sharp fall in transport services, which plunged 41.8 percent compared to the previous year. Officials attributed the decline to significantly lower airline fares to the United Kingdom, where average ticket prices dropped from EC $5,984.20 to EC $2,920.63 over the period.
Prices for household appliances also eased by 5.5 percent, with notable decreases recorded for carpets and floor coverings (down 10.2 percent), glassware and household utensils (down 9.2 percent), and garden tools (down 3.4 percent).
Food prices dipped slightly, falling 0.9 percent year-on-year. Vegetables (down 6.8 percent), oils and fats (down 7.2 percent), and fish and seafood (down 1.5 percent) led the declines. Potatoes saw the steepest fall at 13.2 percent, while preserved or processed fish dropped 3.6 percent.
Core inflation—which excludes volatile food and energy prices—declined by 1.9 percent. The drop was driven mainly by lower costs in transport, household furnishings, recreation and culture, and alcoholic beverages.
The last sustained period of deflation in Antigua and Barbuda occurred in 2016, when consumer prices fell for ten consecutive months, bottoming out at 1.1 percent in October and December of that year.
On a month-to-month basis, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) also registered a decline, falling 0.4 percent compared to March 2025. Recreation and culture services dropped 7 percent, while household furnishings and equipment fell 5.8 percent. Non-alcoholic beverages also slid 3 percent.
Those declines offset small gains in other categories, including clothing and footwear (up 1.9 percent), communication (up 0.9 percent), and miscellaneous goods and services (up 0.3 percent)
Report attached below:
I wonder if these price drops will last or if this is just a short-term dip. Either way, it’s welcome news.
I’m skeptical. Transport prices are down, but what about rent, electricity, and gas? That’s where people feel it most.
Ouuuuu that’s what I like to see. Hopefully this is a trend and it keeps going down. Wishing thinking on my part
This is encouraging news, especially since households have been struggling under years of steady price increases. A 1.2 percent drop may look small on paper, but it signals some breathing room for consumers, particularly in travel and household goods. If these reductions continue, it could help ease pressure on families who’ve had to cut back on essentials just to make ends meet
The dramatic fall in airline fares to the UK is one of the most noticeable changes. Many Antiguans and Barbudans have strong ties to Britain and often face steep costs to visit relatives or pursue opportunities abroad. Cutting average fares nearly in half from EC $5,984 to EC $2,920—makes travel far more accessible and could encourage more frequent connections with loved ones.
Finally a small victory for consumers in Antigua and Barbuda!
Lower prices on household items such as carpets, glassware, and garden tools may not grab headlines the way cheaper airline tickets do, but they matter in daily life. Families upgrading their homes or replacing broken appliances will welcome these reductions, especially at a time when disposable income is stretched thin
While the statistics show the first decline since 2020, we should be cautious in celebrating. Antiguans like to blow things but before really understanding what going on. ok so food, utilities, and fuel costs remain significant burdens, and these categories weren’t highlighted in the report. Policymakers should ensure the gains seen in travel and appliances translate into broader cost-of-living relief, otherwise ordinary people may not feel the benefits as much as the data suggests