KRALENDIJK – Inflation in the Caribbean Netherlands rose further in the second quarter of 2026, with the sharpest increases seen on Saba and Sint Eustatius. This is according to the Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS), based on the Caribbean Netherlands consumer price index.
On Saba, prices were 5.0 percent higher than a year earlier and 2.3 percent higher than the previous quarter, compared to inflation of 3.4 percent in the first quarter of 2026. The quarter-on-quarter increase was mainly driven by higher transport costs: petrol prices rose by 20.9 percent and flight prices by 9 percent. Food and non-alcoholic beverages also became 2.9 percent more expensive, largely due to higher prices for fresh vegetables, frozen meals and coffee.
On Sint Eustatius, prices rose 5.2 percent year-on-year and 1.5 percent compared to the previous quarter (first quarter: 4.6 percent). Here too, transport accounted for the largest increase: petrol became 7.2 percent more expensive and flights 10.5 percent. Fresh vegetables also became more expensive.
On Bonaire, prices were 3.3 percent higher than a year earlier and 1.8 percent higher than the previous quarter, compared to inflation of 2.0 percent in the first quarter. Here as well, the increase was mainly driven by transport, which rose 5.6 percent: petrol prices increased 11.7 percent and flight prices 7.5 percent. Fresh vegetables cost 5.2 percent more, and prices in the hospitality sector rose 3.2 percent.
