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Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 84,397
Marty Offline OP
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Here are the S.I.B's March 2014 External Trade Bulletin and March 2014 Consumer Price Index.

Statistical Institute of Belize
1907 Constitution Drive
Belmopan, Belize

March 2014 External Trade Bulletin

In March 2014, Belize imported goods valuing $162.9 million, up by $13.4 million or 8.9 percent over March 2013. There were increased spending in all major categories except Mineral Fuels and Lubricants and Machinery and Transport Equipment. The most significant rise was in Chemical Products, which surged by $6 million as a result of greater imports of chemical fertilizer. Considerable increases were also seen in purchases of steel and iron products for construction.

The United States, Central America and Mexico were the three largest sources of imported goods, with purchases from the US valued at $54 million. This was more than the combined value of goods from the next two largest suppliers. As a result of the fall in fuel imports from Cura�ao, that island was overtaken by Mexico as the second largest import supplier.

Imports for the first three months of 2014 totalled $442.2 million, up $24 million or 6 percent from the same period in 2013. Consumer goods were the largest contributors to this increase, rising by as much as $21 million due to increased purchases of vitamins, seeds and wines.

CLICK HERE for the whole report


March 2014 Consumer Price Index

The all-items consumer price index for March 2014 stood at 103.6, according to figures released today by the Statistical Institute of Belize. This was up by 1.4 percent from 102.2 in March 2013, and brings the inflation rate for the first three months of this year to 1.7 percent. The increase was mainly as a result of higher prices in the Food and Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas and Other Fuels categories.

During the month, the Food index rose by the same rate as the national all-items index. The most significant price increases were for beef, pork, black beans, Red Kidney Beans, cabbages, carrots, onions and limes. Sweet pepper and tomato prices, on the other hand, fell considerably due to substantial increases in the supply of both products. As was reported for the previous month, home rentals in March, especially in Dangriga, San Ignacio and Belize City, were almost 2 percent higher than in the same month last year. Butane prices were up by more than 10 percent, with the average cost of a 100-pound cylinder rising from $116 to $128.

Dangriga recorded the highest inflation rate of the seven municipalities while the lowest was in Orange Walk Town (see Figure 3).

Official data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics show that in March 2014 the US inflation rate was 1.5 percent.



Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 84,397
Marty Offline OP
OP Offline

Produce

Qty

Mar 2013

Mar 2014

% Change

Yellow Onion 1 lb 1.70 2.28 33.6

Red Kidney Beans

1 lb

1.99

2.48

24.4

Sweet Pepper

1 lb

3.35

2.88

-14.1

Butane

100 lbs

115.64

127.65

10.4

Yellow onions up by 33.6%, RK beans by 24.4% and butane by 10.4%; but sweet pepper down by 14.1%

Belize is reporting an inflation rate of 1.7% for the first quarter of 2014, according to information released today by the Statistical Institute of Belize (SIB). Although the inflation rate is marginal, consumers were faced with substantial price spikes for red kidney beans - a staple commodity of the national dish.

While the bad news for consumers on the local market was an increase of 24.4% in the price of red kidney beans, from $1.99 a pound to $2.48 a pound in the month of March, the good news for the productive sector is that export earnings from the sale of red kidney beans to Jamaica was up by $3 million due to higher demand from the sister Caribbean nation.

The overall inflation rate for March 2014 was 1.4% higher than March 2013, and the most significant price increases were recorded for beef, pork, black beans, red kidney beans, cabbages, carrots, onions and limes.

Cooking costs are also higher, due to a rise in butane prices.

"Butane prices were up by more than 10 percent, with the average cost of a 100-pound cylinder rising from $116 to $128," the report said.

The SIB noted, though, that sweet pepper and tomato prices fell considerably due to substantial increases in the supply of both products.

Real estate rental prices for March were also higher in some municipalities, with home rentals in March, especially in Dangriga, San Ignacio and Belize City, reported at almost 2 percent higher than in the same month last year.

Meanwhile, leading productive sectors were reporting declines in exports even as the import bill continues to expand.

According to the SIB, Belize imported goods valuing $162.9 million in March 2014, up by $13.4 million or 8.9 percent over March 2013.

"Imports for the first three months of 2014 totaled $442.2 million, up $24 million or 6 percent from the same period in 2013. Consumer goods were the largest contributors to this increase, rising by as much as $21 million due to increased purchases of vitamins, seeds and wines," the SIB reported.

Domestic export earnings totaled $48.6 million in March 2014, down $20.6 million or 30 percent from what it was at the same time last year.

"This fall was entirely the result of no sales of crude petroleum and a decline in sugar and orange concentrate exports of $7 million and $4 million, respectively," the SIB said.

Although Belize exported over $139 million worth of goods in the first quarter, this was 22% less than what was exported for the same period last year, with a falloff in exports of crude petroleum, sugar and citrus concentrate, which meant $40 million less in export earnings. However, a notable increase in exports was recorded for marine products.

Amandala



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