Jamaica’s inflation continues to outpace its target of 4%-6%, ending the month of March at 7.5%, according to the latest All-Jamaica Consumer Price Index (CPI) for August 2026 put out by the Statistical Institute of Jamaica (STATIN).

The CPI, which measures changes in the general level of prices for consumer goods and services purchased by private households, increased by 0.6%. The rate was driven primarily by a 1.5% increase in the index for the ‘Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages’ division. 

Higher prices for some agricultural produce such as Irish potato, sweet potato, cabbage, tomato and pumpkin contributed to a 1.6 % increase in the index for the ‘Food’ group. Additionally, the ‘Transport’ division increased by 0.7 per cent. 

This was attributed to higher petrol prices and toll rates. These increases were tempered by a 0.7% decline in the index for the ‘Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas and Other Fuels’ division, driven mainly by lower electricity rates.

The point-to-point inflation rate (August 2025 – August 2026) was 7.9%. This was influenced mainly by the point-to-point inflation rates for the divisions: ‘Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages’ (10.2%), ‘Transport’ (14.6%) and ‘Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas and Other Fuels’ (4.8%).