The V.I. Bureau of Economic Research told senators that territory-wide inflation was approximately 5.7% by July 2026, compared with a 3.4% U.S. rate cited during the hearing.
BER's testimony identified a 6.8% rise in food prices and a 16.2% increase in transportation costs. The figures describe category-level price change; they do not mean every household or island experienced the same increase.
Researchers also reported that the territory imported $3.62 billion in goods and services in 2025, including $168 million in food, while exports totaled $2.6 billion. A senator's idea for an online-purchase surcharge was discussion only and was not enacted at the hearing.
BER described the 2027 outlook as cautiously optimistic because disaster-recovery construction could increase economic activity and tax collections. That forecast depends on projects moving forward and should not be read as immediate cost-of-living relief.
BER should publish the underlying price-index tables, category weights, island coverage and methodology so residents can distinguish the official inflation series from individual price examples.
Source published October 14, 2026; publication time not displayed. Read the original reporting or release for the complete record.
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