Brunei Darussalam’s Consumer Price Index (CPI) declined by 0.3 per cent year-on-year in February 2026, mainly due to lower non-food prices, according to the Department of Economic Planning and Statistics.

In a media release, the department under the Ministry of Finance and Economy said the drop was driven by a 0.5 per cent decrease in the non-food index, while the food and non-alcoholic beverages index rose by 0.7 per cent over the same period.

The decline in the non-food index was largely attributed to lower costs in recreation and culture, which fell by 2.9 per cent, particularly for online media streaming subscription services. Communication prices also dropped by 3.5 per cent, mainly due to cheaper internet service packages, while clothing and footwear prices decreased by 1.2 per cent.

Meanwhile, the increase in the food and non-alcoholic beverages index was driven by higher prices of fish and seafood, which rose by 4.8 per cent, especially fresh fish. Prices of fruits increased by 3.2 per cent, particularly fresh tropical fruits, while coffee, tea and cocoa recorded a 4.7 per cent rise.

On a month-on-month basis, the CPI rose by 0.2 per cent in February compared to January 2026, supported by increases in both food and non-food components.

The food and non-alcoholic beverages index grew by 0.6 per cent, led by higher prices of meat (1.0 per cent), fish and seafood (1.1 per cent), and vegetables (1.5 per cent).

The non-food index edged up by 0.1 per cent, mainly due to increases in clothing and footwear prices, which surged by 5.2 per cent, as well as marginal rises in miscellaneous goods and services and household furnishings, equipment and maintenance.

The CPI measures the average change in prices of a fixed basket of goods and services purchased by households and is compiled monthly based on data from the Household Expenditure Survey.

The full CPI report for February 2026 is available on the DEPS website.

-- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin