Bandar Seri Begawan: The Consumer Price Index (CPI) in March 2025 recorded a decrease of 0.5 per cent compared to March 2024, driven by declines in the Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages index and the Non-Food index.
According to Radio Television Brunei, the Department of Economic Planning and Statistics, Ministry of Finance and Economy reported that the decrease was driven by declines of 0.6 per cent in the Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages index; and 0.5 per cent in the Non-Food index.
On a month-on-month basis, the CPI in March 2025 decreased by 0.5 per cent compared to February 2025. This was driven by a decline in the Non-Food index, while the Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages index recorded an increase of 0.2 per cent. The decrease in the Non-Food index was primarily driven by lower prices of Clothing and Footwear and Transport. Meanwhile, the increase in the Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages index was mainly contributed by higher prices of Vegetables and Fruits.
Periodically, the CPI for January to March 2025 recorded a decrease compared to the same period in 2024. The decrease in the Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages index was mainly contributed by lower meat prices, particularly chicken meat, following the implementation of the seasonal maximum price setting. Additionally, the decrease in Fish and Seafood prices was caused by a fall in fresh fish prices from supplying countries. As for the Non-Food index, the decrease was driven by a decline in Transport prices, particularly motor cars and airfares; and Recreation and Culture, mainly contributed by lower prices of package holidays.
The CPI full report for March 2025 is available from the DEPS website.