El Salvador’s Basic Food Basket Increases to $247.61 in February 2025

By Eddie Galdamez  | Updated on March 22, 2025
El Salvador’s basic food basket costSan Salvador. Image by Prensa Alcaldia SS

In 2025, the cost of El Salvador’s basic food basket is $247.61 for urban families and $181.05 for those in rural areas. The urban basket is $66.56, or 26.9%, more expensive than the rural one.

These costs are based on family sizes of 3.73 members in urban areas and 4.26 in rural areas, covering essentials like bread, tortillas, rice, meats, eggs, milk, beans, fruits, and vegetables.

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Salvadoran Basic Food Basket Cost in Urban Areas

As of February 2025, the cost of the basic food basket in urban areas stands at $247.61—$9.21 less than in February 2024, reflecting a 3.6% decrease over the year.

El Salvador’s Food Basket Cost Per Family “Urban”
2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 Change
2024-2025
January 200.96 200.41 199.24 213.43 245.02 256.74 246.64 -10.10 (-3.9%)
February 200.58 199.24 200.41 215.45 249.70 256.82 247.61 -9.21 (-3.6%)
March 200.19 198.90 201.31 220.95 249.09 254.79
April 200.53 201.26 200.13 223.86 247.79 255.21
May 199.84 209.83 201.04 227.39 247.87 256.56
June 202.37 211.44 203.72 235.47 250.77 262.17
July 200.68 209.33 202.70 238.71 255.36 264.92
August 199.49 203.72 204.75 238.95 255.19 259.97
September 198.54 200.65 205.43 237.89 257.61 249.26
October 198.14 197.69 212.55 239.87 257.81 245.74
November 199.63 200.54 214.14 240.64 255.60 244.28
December 199.30 198.14 211.81 240.37 257.06 246.06

Year to date, in the urban sector, fruits (9.2%), milk (3.4%), and beans (3.2%) have experienced the most extensive percentage increase.

The milk category includes processed and raw milk, while fruits encompass oranges, plantains, and bananas.

The food basket cost in the urban sector has increased by 22.4% since the Bukele administration began; it went from $202.37 in June 2019 to $247.61 in February 2025, an increment of $45.24.

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Salvadoran Basic Food Basket Cost in Rural Areas

The rural sector is also affected by the rising cost of living. However, the increase has been lower than in urban areas.

As of February 2025, the basic food basket in rural zones costs $181.05, a decrease of $4.12, or 2.2%, from February 2024.

El Salvador’s food basket cost per family “Rural”
2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 Change
2024-2025
January 144.91 145.40 141.68 157.13 185.26 185.12 179.97 -5.15 (-2.8%)
February 143.40 145.86 143.67 156.50 187.08 185.17 181.05 -4.12 (-2.2%)
March 145.57 145.90 144.71 158.33 188.73 183.02
April 144.04 141.96 143.77 163.93 190.10 180.70
May 145.78 146.96 145.09 163.36 188.84 179.08
June 144.43 151.81 146.31 173.74 188.89 179.23
July 144.14 146.62 145.34 178.07 193.98 180.34
August 145.35 145.04 148.09 179.47 189.02 177.31
September 144.90 142.82 147.12 173.97 192.27 -176.21
October 145.96 138.76 153.55 183.36 193.48 175.34
November 144.07 146.65 153.20 183.47 189.39 175.22
December 141.23 141.63 151.88 181.54 186.08 179.00

So far this year, in rural areas, fruits (9.6%), milk (3.4%), and beans (3.1%) have experienced the highest percentage increases.

The milk category includes processed and raw milk, while fruits include oranges, plantains, and bananas.

In rural areas, the food basket cost has increased by 25.4% since the Bukele administration started; it went from $144.43 in June 2019 to $181.05 in February 2025, an increment of $36.62.

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SEE ALSO: Salvadoran Central Reserve Bank (BCR) Projected Economic Growth for 2025

The cost of El Salvador’s Basic Food Basket reflects the ongoing economic challenges faced by families. With rising prices impacting daily life, it underscores the need for continued attention to food security and economic policies in the country.

With record lows in violence and homicides, Salvadorans are primarily worried about the country’s economy. as the cost of essential food items are getting more expensive.

Add to the mix the low wages, and you will see why this is the primary concern for most Salvadorans, especially those living in poverty.