San Salvador, El Salvador Capital City.
The urban basic food basket (CBA) rose $1.98 in March to $254.64, its highest price in eight months and the third consecutive month of increases. In February, the basket stood at $252.66.
So far, the most expensive items in the urban food basket are meat and tortillas, priced at $0.53 and $0.25, respectively.
Compared to a year ago, urban families are now paying $8.75 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 | ||
| 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 $254.64 by the end of March—an increase of $2.56.
Rural Food Basket Cost
In rural areas, the food basket price increased by $1.92, rising from $183.53 in February to $185.45 in March—the highest price since October of last year.
Thus far, the most expensive items in the rural food basket are tortillas and beans, priced at $0.67 and $0.16, respectively.
Compared to a year ago, families in rural areas are now paying $7.32 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 | ||
| 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 $185.45 by the end of March—an increase of $0.95.
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.
