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The price of the basic food basket (BFB) fell during September, marking a downward trend compared to previous months of the year. This decrease represents a slight relief for Salvadoran households, following several months of stability with slight upward variations.
According to data from the Banco Central de Reserva (BCR), the cost of the urban basic food basket was lower than that recorded in August, reflecting a reduction driven primarily by the drop in prices for basic grains and fresh agricultural products. Meanwhile, the rural basic food basket showed similar performance, although with less pronounced variations due to logistics and transportation costs in remote areas.
Year-on-year comparison: improvement compared to 2024
When comparing current prices with those of the same month in 2024, the BCR notes that both the urban and rural food baskets are increasing less than the pace of general inflation. This suggests that, although prices remain high in absolute terms, the inflationary trend is moderating.
In september 2024, the average cost of the urban basic food basket was higher than that recorded in the same month of 2025, reflecting a relative, albeit limited, improvement in purchasing power among middle- and low-income households.
Differences between the urban and rural basic food baskets
The most recent data show that the price of the urban basic food basket continues to be higher than that of the rural basic food basket, mainly due to the difference in the type and quantity of food included, in addition to price variations in local markets. However, the monthly percentage reduction was more noticeable in rural areas, driven by the availability of seasonal products during the current agricultural cycle.
Overall, the rural food basket remains at a lower cost due to local grain and vegetable production, which mitigates the impact of transportation and distribution prices, which affect urban areas more.
Outlook for the end of the year
The BCR forecasts that, if agricultural supply conditions and exchange rate stability persist, the cost of the basic food basket could continue to fluctuate moderately during the last quarter of 2025. However, factors such as irregular rainfall and changes in fuel prices could impact the costs of certain essential foods.
The institution reaffirms that monthly monitoring of the basic food basket is a key indicator for assessing household well-being and guiding policies to support lower-income families.
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