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The monthly cost of the basic food basket increased in both urban and rural areas between july and august 2026, according to data provided by the Banco Central de Reserva (BCR). In urban areas, the cost rose from US$261.49 in july to US$264.74 in august, representing an increase of US$3.25, or 1.24%. In rural areas, it rose from US$186.51 to US$189.63, an increase of US$3.13, or 1.68%.
Although the increase in monetary terms was similar between the two areas, the rural basket recorded a higher percentage change due to its lower cost. Based on august data, the urban basket cost US$75.11 more than the rural basket.
Which products increased in price between july and august?
In the urban basket, prices for vegetables, tortillas, beans, eggs, fruits, meats, sugar, and fats increased between july and august.
In contrast, prices for french bread and rice decreased. Liquid milk was the product that remained unchanged during this period.
In the rural basket, the products that increased in price were tortillas, eggs, beans, meat, fats, sugar, and fruit. Rice saw a decrease, while liquid milk remained unchanged.
Comparison with august 2025
When comparing the cost in august 2026 with that of the same month in 2025, the trend in both baskets shows a more pronounced difference. The urban basket rose from US$250.79 in august 2025 to US$264.74 in august 2026, an increase of US$13.94, equivalent to 5.56%.
In rural areas, however, the cost rose from US$189.40 to US$189.63 during the same period. This represents an increase of just US$0.23, equivalent to 0.12%.
The composition of the changes also differed. In the urban basket, between august 2025 and uagust 2026, prices rose for meat, fats, eggs, fluid milk, fruits, beans, vegetables, sugar, and french bread, while prices for tortillas and rice fell.
In the rural basket, the year-over-year comparison shows increases in meat, fats, eggs, fluid milk, fruits, beans, and sugar, while tortillas and rice decreased.
In general terms, data from the BCR show that between july and august 2026, both baskets increased, although the percentage change was greater for the rural basket. However, when comparing august 2026 to august 2025, the trend was different: the urban basket increased by 5.56%, while the rural basket grew by 0.12%. Thus, in august 2026, the monthly cost of the urban basket was US$264.74, compared to US$189.63 for the rural basket.
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