The cost of the basic food basket (CBA) in El Salvador decreased significantly in October, providing much-needed relief to households, according to recent data from the Central Reserve Bank (BCR). This marks the largest drop in over three years in urban areas, with similar reductions also observed in rural areas.
The BCR highlighted that the decline in the cost of the basic food basket is the result of measures taken by President Nayib Bukele’s administration to address inflation. These policies have contributed to a reduction in both urban and rural food prices, which has positively impacted family budgets across the country.
In urban areas, the cost of the basic food basket dropped by 4.7% compared to October of last year, with the monthly expense per family now totaling $245.74, down from $249.25 in September. This translates to a savings of approximately $3.51 per family each month. The daily cost per family in urban areas now stands at $8.19.
In rural areas, the basic food basket saw an even steeper annual decrease of 9.4%, with the average monthly cost per family falling to $175.33, down by $0.87 from the previous month.
The BCR also reported that El Salvador’s inflation rate in October was 0.07%, the lowest in over three and a half years, positioning the country as one of the least affected by inflation in the region.
Ricardo Salazar, the president of the Consumer Ombudsman’s Office (DC), also pointed to the stability in the markets, noting that despite recent heavy rains, the availability of food products has remained stable without any significant price hikes. On the contrary, some essential items, such as cabbage, tomatoes, and onions, saw price reductions of 8% to 20%, further easing the financial pressure on families.
Salazar emphasized the importance of initiatives like agricultural markets and the central supply system, which have improved the efficiency of product distribution and helped maintain stable prices.
These positive trends in food prices come as a result of both government policies and the country’s growing focus on agricultural and supply chain improvements, offering Salvadoran families greater financial stability and relief.
