San Salvador El Salvador.
SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador — Official figures show that rising food costs continue to strain Salvadoran households, with the basic food basket remaining a significant burden despite modest year-over-year price increase.
As of July 2025, according to government data, El Salvador’s basic food basket cost for urban families stands at $255.06, while rural families pay $190.80.
The urban basket is $64.27 or 25.2% more expensive than its rural counterpart, based on average family sizes of 3.73 members in urban areas and 4.26 members in rural zones.
| 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | Change 2024-2025 |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 199.24 | 213.43 | 245.02 | 256.74 | 246.64 | -10.10 (-3.9%) |
| February | 200.41 | 215.45 | 249.70 | 256.82 | 247.61 | -9.21 (-3.6%) |
| March | 201.31 | 220.95 | 249.09 | 254.79 | 245.89 | -8.90 (-3.5%) |
| April | 200.13 | 223.86 | 247.79 | 255.21 | 247.27 | -7.94 (-3.1%) |
| May | 201.04 | 227.39 | 247.87 | 256.56 | 248.22 | -8.34 (-3.3%) |
| June | 203.72 | 235.47 | 250.77 | 262.17 | 253.06 | -9.11 (-3.5%) |
| July | 202.70 | 238.71 | 255.36 | 264.92 | 255.06 | -9.86 (-3.7%) |
| August | 204.75 | 238.95 | 255.19 | 259.97 | ||
| September | 205.43 | 237.89 | 257.61 | 249.26 | ||
| October | 212.55 | 239.87 | 257.81 | 245.74 | ||
| November | 214.14 | 240.64 | 255.60 | 244.28 | ||
| December | 211.81 | 240.37 | 257.06 | 246.06 |
SEE ALSO: Cost of Living in El Salvador: How expensive is it to live in El Salvador?
| 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | Change 2024-2025 |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 141.68 | 157.13 | 185.26 | 185.12 | 179.97 | -5.15 (-2.8%) |
| February | 143.67 | 156.50 | 187.08 | 185.17 | 181.05 | -4.12 (-2.2%) |
| March | 144.71 | 158.33 | 188.73 | 183.02 | 178.13 | -4.89 (-2.7%) |
| April | 143.77 | 163.93 | 190.10 | 180.70 | 178.76 | -1.94 (-1.1%) |
| May | 145.09 | 163.36 | 188.84 | 179.08 | 179.75 | 0.67 (0.4%) |
| June | 146.31 | 173.74 | 188.89 | 179.23 | 184.57 | 5.34 (3.0%) |
| July | 145.34 | 178.07 | 193.98 | 180.34 | 190.80 | 10.46 (5.8%) |
| August | 148.09 | 179.47 | 189.02 | 177.31 | ||
| September | 147.12 | 173.97 | 192.27 | 176.21 | ||
| October | 153.55 | 183.36 | 193.48 | 175.34 | ||
| November | 153.20 | 183.47 | 189.39 | 175.22 | ||
| December | 151.88 | 181.54 | 186.08 | 179.00 |
The food basket, which includes staple items such as bread, tortillas, rice, meats, eggs, milk, beans, fruits, and vegetables, has decreased in cost in the urban sector compared to July 2024, one year earlier. In contrast, the rural sector has experienced an increase in costs.
In urban areas, the basic food basket fell by $9.86, or 3.7%, from July 2024, while rural areas saw a increase of $10.46, or 5.8%.
Despite recent movements, prices remain significantly higher than at the start of President Nayib Bukele’s administration.
Since June 2019, the cost of the urban basket has risen 26%, from $202.37 to $255.06, an increase of $52.69.
In rural areas, the basket price has climbed 32.1%, from $144.43 to $190.80, a $46.37 increase.
The persistent rise in essential food prices highlights the ongoing economic challenges faced by Salvadorans, even as the country records historic lows in violence and homicides.
With low wages and the rising cost of living, concerns about economic stability have become the primary issue for many households, particularly among those living in poverty.
