November compared to the year before, according to the Statistics Department.

This is the fourth consecutive month inflation has stayed at 2.7 percent, with August, September and October reporting the same figure.

The Consumer Price Index for November registered the all-items index at 114.8 and is a measurement of goods and services on the Island and used to indicate the level of inflation.

The index directly reflects an increase in the cost of food on the Island, which rose by 0.2 percent. The biggest price hike was in the price of grapes, which went up 8.1 percent. Also showing a large increase in price were cantaloupes, up 7.5 percent; tomatoes, 5.2 percent; stewing beef up 4.2 percent; wahoo up 2.4 percent; and mayonnaise, up 2.2 percent.

Rent rose by 0.1 percent for the month of November, with both controlled and decontrolled property rising by 0.1 percent.

The cost of clothing and footware remained stable for the month as did the cost of fuel and power. The statistic department said that the erratic nature of the fuel adjustment clause subsided during the month of November.

But the cost of tobacco and liquor advancing 0.1 percent during the month.

This was a direct result of a 0.2 percent rise in the average price of beer.

Household goods, services and supplies remained unchanged from the previous month. The impact of a 0.2 percent drop in household supplies was exactly offset by a 0.2 percent rise in the cost of household goods such as VCR's, televisions and air conditioners.

The cost of transport and vehicles fell 0.8 percent. This was in part due to a 0.4 percent decline in the capital cost of buying new cars. Also the price of airfares fell by 0.1 percent while the price for accommodation abroad fell by 3.8 percent.

The cost of education, recreation and reading remained unchanged overall.

Within the recreation category, the cost of purchasing and maintaining pleasure boats actually went up by 0.8 percent, but this was offset by a decline in the price of toys, games and hobbies.

The price of health and personal care rose 0.1 percent. Consumers paid more for both personal care supplies and services. The price of toiletries, cosmetics and perfumes rose by 0.1 percent while the average cost of ladies' hair cuts and styling went up by 0.2 percent.