For working households across Belize, the financial squeeze of cost-of-living growth tightened further in April 2026, as across-the-board increases in fuel, food, and electricity pushed the nation’s annual inflation rate to 2.9 percent, new official data shows.
The latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) report, published by the Statistical Institute of Belize (SIB), documents a clear upward shift in consumer prices: the overall index climbed from 119.6 in April 2025 to 123.1 in April 2026. When broken down by spending category, the data reveals transportation costs far outpaced all other sectors, with the surge directly tied to widespread fuel price increases across the country.
Among fuel products, diesel recorded the most dramatic jump, soaring 26 percent year-over-year to reach $14.68 per gallon in April 2026, up from just $11.66 per gallon a year prior. Regular gasoline followed with a 15.7 percent increase, while premium gasoline prices rose by 11 percent compared to April 2025.
For millions of Belizean families already stretching budgets to cover basic daily needs, rising grocery bills added additional strain. The SIB reports that prices for food and non-alcoholic beverages rose by 2.6 percent year-over-year, with double-digit increases recorded for multiple staple goods. Stew pork saw a nearly 14 percent jump, while whole fish prices rose 9.4 percent and beef steak climbed 9.3 percent. Sugar notched one of the largest increases among groceries, surging 19.3 percent from April 2025 levels, and produce also grew far more expensive: limes, a common cooking staple across the country, rose by 29.2 percent.
Higher utility and household energy costs also contributed significantly to the overall inflation growth. The broad “Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas and Other Fuels” category saw a 2 percent year-over-year price increase, driven by two key factors: new higher electricity tariffs implemented at the start of 2026, and rising liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) prices for cooking. The average cost of a standard 100-pound cooking gas cylinder rose from $127.63 in April 2025 to $136.47 this year, a nearly 7 percent increase.
Additional sectors saw modest but noticeable price growth last month: restaurant and café prices ticked upward, and healthcare costs rose 3.3 percent year-over-year, pushed by higher fees for doctor consultations, increased prescription medication prices, and more expensive medical procedures.
Inflation levels varied across Belize’s municipal regions. Orange Walk Town recorded the highest regional inflation rate at 4.2 percent, while Belize City saw the lowest annual price increase at 2.4 percent, according to the SIB data.