New preliminary inflation data released by Suriname’s General Bureau of Statistics (ABS) has confirmed that consumer prices continued their upward trend in June, pushing the country’s 12-month average inflation rate to 10.5%. Month-over-month, overall inflation hit 1.2% in June, with food products emerging as the single largest driver of rising living costs across the nation.
Fresh produce recorded the most dramatic price surge among all food categories. Between May and June, the price of fruits and vegetables jumped 7.8%, and compared to June 2025, these staple goods are now 32.5% more expensive for consumers.
Meat and meat products also saw significant price growth, with a 4.9% month-over-month increase and a 16.6% year-over-year rise. Bread and cereal products followed close behind, posting a 4.7% monthly price hike and a 6.5% annual increase. Additional price increases were recorded across other food and beverage segments: other food and non-alcoholic drinks rose 1.6% month-over-month, out-of-home beverages increased 1.2%, and out-of-home meals went up 0.5% in June.
Sugar and sugar products stood as the only food category that became cheaper in June. Prices fell 0.7% compared to May, and are also slightly lower than they were one year prior.
Across the 12 main categories that make up the consumer price index, food and non-alcoholic beverages recorded the strongest overall price growth. This was followed by alcoholic beverages and tobacco, household goods, and out-of-home dining. Two categories, healthcare and transportation, remained largely price-stable through June.
ABS officials noted that the headline 10.5% annual inflation rate is an average calculated across a basket of 316 different goods and services, and substantial variation exists across individual products. Price changes for specific items ranged from a 39% decrease to a 600% increase compared to previous periods. It should also be noted that ABS does not conduct consumer price measurements in the inland districts of Marowijne, Brokopondo and Sipaliwini, where consumer prices are known to be many times higher than measured averages in other regions.