Higher fuel, transport and food prices pushed Fiji’s inflation rate higher in May, according to the latest Consumer Price Index report released by the Fiji Bureau of Statistics.
The Bureau said the Consumer Price Index measures average changes in the prices of goods and services purchased by households nationwide, with monthly price collections carried out in urban centres including Suva, Lami, Nasinu, Nausori, Lautoka, Nadi, Ba and Labasa.
According to the report, inflation rate for May 2026 remained at negative 1.1 percent.
The transport sector recorded the largest increase at 5.2 percent, mainly driven by higher prices for fuels and lubricants for personal transport equipment, as well as passenger transport by boat and inland waterways.
Housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels increased by 1.8 percent due to higher prices for materials used in home maintenance and repair, along with increases in gas, liquid fuels and solid fuels.
Food and non-alcoholic beverages rose by 1.6 percent, with increases recorded for bread and cereals, meat, fish and seafood, oils and fats, fruit, vegetables and beverages such as coffee, tea and cocoa.
Restaurants and hotels increased by 0.8 percent due to higher accommodation service costs, while clothing and footwear rose by 0.4 percent following price increases in garments.
The recreation and culture division also increased by 0.4 percent, mainly due to higher prices for sound and picture recording and reproduction equipment.
Meanwhile, alcoholic beverages, tobacco and narcotics rose by 0.2 percent, driven by higher prices for spirits, beer, tobacco and yaqona.
However, some sectors recorded slight declines. Communication prices fell by 0.1 percent due to lower prices for telephone and telefax equipment, while furnishings, household equipment and routine household maintenance declined by 0.2 percent.
Health prices also fell by 0.2 percent due to lower pharmaceutical product prices, while miscellaneous goods and services dropped by 0.4 percent, largely because of lower prices for personal care products.
