Bahamas Consumer Prices Rise 3.6% YoY in July

• Consumer prices in The Bahamas rose 3.6% year-over-year in July 2026, despite a second consecutive monthly decline, according to the Bahamas National Statistical Institute’s (BNSI) latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) report.
• Average prices fell 0.1% compared with June, matching the decline recorded between May and June. However, higher prices in the restaurants, hotels and transport categories continued to drive the annual increase.
• Restaurants and hotels recorded the largest year-over-year increase at 15.7%, followed by transport at 12.9%. Furnishings, household equipment and routine household maintenance prices rose 3.4%, while recreation prices declined 1.9%.
• Fuel prices remained substantially above July 2025 levels despite easing during the month. Diesel prices were up 33.4% annually, while petroleum prices increased 21.4%. Compared with June, diesel prices fell 6.8% and petroleum prices declined 3.2%.
• On a monthly basis, furnishings, household equipment and routine household maintenance recorded the largest decrease at 2.3%, while restaurants and hotels prices declined 1.4% and transport prices fell 1.0%. Alcoholic beverages, tobacco and narcotics recorded the largest monthly increase at 3.3%.
• The second consecutive monthly decline indicates some easing in near-term price pressures. However, the 3.6% annual increase and still-elevated fuel and transport costs indicate that higher energy prices remain an important source of inflationary pressure. This risk remains relevant given the ongoing US-Iran conflict, which has kept global oil and refined-product prices elevated.

(Source: The Nassau Guardian)