Fiji’s inflation rate drops to -0.9 in April 2025

Fiji’s inflation rate dropped to -0.9 percent in April 2025, marking the lowest monthly rate since May 2021 and a significant decline from 7.1 percent recorded in April 2024.

The Fiji Bureau of Statistics says the decrease in prices was largely driven by lower prices for food and non-alcoholic beverages (-4.3%), transport (-2.7%), clothing and footwear (-1.5%), housing and utilities (-0.8%), and furnishings and household equipment (0.4%).

Higher prices were noted for alcoholic beverages, tobacco and narcotics (+3.9%), health (+1.4%), restaurants and hotels (+2.3%) and miscellaneous goods and services (+9.6%).

The decline in inflation reflects easing price pressures across key categories, particularly food, transport, clothing, and utilities.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Professor Biman Prasad says this is welcome news for both the Government and ordinary Fijian households

He says it reflects the combined impact of favorable global commodity trends—particularly falling fuel prices—and the Government’s targeted interventions to contain cost-of-living pressures.

Professor Prasad says the easing of inflation comes as the temporary effects of VAT reforms continue to taper off and global supply chains stabilise.

Looking ahead, inflation is expected to remain subdued, providing much-needed relief for families across the country.

Professor Prasad says since taking office, the People’s Coalition Government has implemented a comprehensive range of measures to cushion vulnerable households from inflationary shocks.

These include maintaining zero VAT on 22 essential food and household items; increasing social welfare assistance by 15 to 25 percent; and writing off $650 million in debt owed by more than 53,000 families; The Deputy Prime Minister adds the government has delivered broader structural support to enhance household income and economic resilience.

These include raising the national minimum wage, first to $4.50 and most recently to $5.00 per hour as of April 2025, securing a record sugarcane price of over $100 per tonne for farmers; raising civil service salaries, and injecting $85 million into increased budgetary allocations to the agriculture, fisheries, and forestry sectors to drive rural livelihoods and food security.

Professor Prasad says the government remains firmly committed to protecting the welfare of all Fijians.

He says they will continue to monitor inflation developments closely and stand ready to take further action where necessary to support households and promote broad-based, inclusive economic growth.