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.