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.
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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.