San Salvador, El Salvador Capital City.
In April, the price of the urban basic food basket reached its highest level since August 2024, driven by price increases due to the war in the Middle East.
The urban basic food basket (CBA) rose $2.07 in April to $256.71. So far, the most expensive items in the urban food basket are meat, tortillas, and vegetables.
Compared to a year ago, urban families are now paying $9.44 more for essential food items.
| 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 | Change Same Month a Year Ago |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 245.02 | 256.74 | 246.64 | 250.82 | 4.18 (1.7%) |
| February | 249.70 | 256.82 | 247.61 | 252.66 | 5.05 (2.0%) |
| March | 249.09 | 254.79 | 245.89 | 254.64 | 8.75 (3.6%) |
| April | 247.79 | 255.21 | 247.27 | 256.71 | 9.44 (3.8%) |
| May | 247.87 | 256.56 | 248.22 | ||
| June | 250.77 | 262.17 | 253.06 | ||
| July | 255.36 | 264.92 | 255.06 | ||
| August | 255.19 | 259.97 | 250.79 | ||
| September | 257.61 | 249.26 | 250.71 | ||
| October | 257.81 | 245.74 | 250.75 | ||
| November | 255.60 | 244.28 | 253.32 | ||
| December | 257.06 | 246.06 | 252.08 |
Year to date, prices have risen modestly in urban areas, climbing from $252.08 in December 2025 to $256.71 by the end of April—an increase of $4.63.
Rural Food Basket Cost
In rural areas, the food basket price increased by $0.65, rising from $185.45 in March to $186.10 in April—the highest price since October of last year.
Thus far, the most expensive items in the rural food basket are tortillas and beans.
Compared to a year ago, families in rural areas are now paying $7.34 more for essential food items.
| 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 | Change Same Month a Year Ago |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 185.26 | 185.12 | 179.97 | 183.27 | 3.30 (1.8%) |
| February | 187.08 | 185.17 | 181.05 | 183.53 | 2.48 (1.4%) |
| March | 188.73 | 183.02 | 178.13 | 185.45 | 7.32 (4.1%) |
| April | 190.10 | 180.70 | 178.76 | 186.10 | 7.34 (4.1%) |
| May | 188.84 | 179.08 | 179.75 | ||
| June | 188.89 | 179.23 | 184.57 | ||
| July | 193.98 | 180.34 | 190.80 | ||
| August | 189.02 | 177.31 | 189.40 | ||
| September | 192.27 | 176.21 | 190.94 | ||
| October | 193.48 | 175.34 | 190.11 | ||
| November | 189.39 | 175.22 | 185.31 | ||
| December | 186.08 | 179.00 | 184.50 |
So far this year, prices in the rural sector have increased slightly, rising from $184.50 in December 2025 to $186.10 by the end of April—an increase of $1.60.
El Salvador’s Basic Food Basket
El Salvador’s Basic Food Basket matters because it reflects the minimum cost of essential foods Salvadorans need to survive. When the basket becomes more expensive, families feel the impact immediately in their daily meals.
For minimum-wage workers, even small increases strain already limited budgets. A rise of just a dollar can force trade-offs between food, transportation, or school expenses for their children.
Those living in poverty are hit the hardest. Many already spend more than half their income on food, leaving little room for unexpected price changes or economic shocks.
Tracking the food basket is crucial for understanding real living conditions. It shows whether salaries keep pace with basic needs and highlights the gap between official wages and the actual cost of survival.
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.
