Basic food basket price in El Salvador rises 2.7% in first half of 2026

The cost of basic food items in El Salvador saw a 2.7% increase during the first half of 2026 when compared to the same period in the previous year. Official data from the Central Reserve Bank (BCR) revealed that the monthly expense for essential foods in urban zones climbed from $253.05 in June 2025 to $259.95 in June 2026, marking an increase of $6.89. In rural areas, the basket's cost rose from $184.56 to $189.56, an increment of $4.99. The average annual cost for the basic food basket at the end of the first semester of 2026 stood at $255.50 in urban areas and $185.57 in rural zones. This compares to $250.12 and $184.44 respectively in 2025. The basic food basket includes items like bread, tortillas, beans, meats, and fruits, intended for a family of approximately four members. The article also provides historical context, noting that when President Nayib Bukele took office in 2019, the average cost was $200.02 in urban areas and $144.48 in rural areas. By 2024, these figures had risen to $256.02 and $182.62, respectively. Minimum wages in El Salvador vary by sector, with commerce and services at $408.80, manufacturing at $402.26, and agriculture workers earning between $272.72. Most of these essential products are imported from neighboring countries like Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. Since President Bukele began his second consecutive term in June 2024, surveys indicate that economic concerns have overtaken violence as the main issue for Salvadorans.