The urban Basic Food Basket (CBA) recorded a decrease of $4.94 in August, following a historic price high in July, according to the National Bureau of Statistics and Census (Onec). The decline is attributed to lower costs in vegetables, French bread, and tortillas.
The latest CBA update, released this Wednesday, revealed that the urban basket settled at $259.97 in August, reflecting a 1.8% reduction compared to July. The rural basket also experienced a decrease of $3.03, reaching $177.31 last month.
The methodology for calculating the CBA was established in 1983, based on food items that meet the population’s energy needs. A notable difference between the urban and rural baskets is the inclusion of vegetables and French bread in the former, while these items are excluded from the latter.
According to Onec, the most significant reduction was seen in vegetables, which include potatoes, onions, green peppers, tomatoes, chayote, and cabbage. The cost per person for this category dropped from $0.33 to $0.29 between July and August.
In June and July, vegetables saw sharp price hikes due to an agricultural crisis caused by heavy rains that damaged crops in Central America. El Salvador, which imports over 80% of its food, witnessed record prices, with chayote reaching $1.50.
In addition to vegetables, French bread saw a slight reduction, falling from $0.17 to $0.16 in August. The Onec report also indicated a decrease in the cost of tortillas, fats, beans, sugar, and cooking essentials, which make up 10% of the CBA.
Conversely, the cost of rice, meats, eggs, and fruits increased, while fluid milk prices remained stable. In rural areas, prices dropped for tortillas, fats, beans, and sugar, but rose for rice, meats, eggs, and fruits.