The Bottom, Saba- In the fourth quarter of 2017, consumer prices on Saba were 2.5 percent up over one year previously. In the previous quarter, Saban consumers still paid 1.3 percent less for goods and services year-on-year. The annual price increase was 1.8 percent on St Eustatius and 1.2 percent on Bonaire, Statistics Netherlands (CBS) reports.

As of the fourth quarter of 2016, prices on Saba declined year-on-year until hurricane Irma passed in September 2017. In the last quarter of 2017 however, many goods and services went up in price, especially food products. Fresh fruit is currently almost 25 percent more expensive than one year previously; cheese has risen by over 14 percent. In addition, prices of building materials have increased, as well as prices in the sector hotels and restaurants.

CBS notes that not all products have gone up in price. Egg prices, for instance, dropped by more than 30 percent in the past year. Petrol went down as well, which had a dampening effect on the total price increase in the last quarter of 2017.