Food Basket Cost Rises Nationally
The basic food basket (BFB) increased by 0.80% in December compared to the previous month, according to the National Alliance of Small Retailers (ANPEC).
The BFB includes 44 essential consumption items, such as tomatoes, onions, jalapeño peppers, potatoes, lemons, rice, and tortillas.
The BFB cost was 2,020.47 pesos, an increase of 16.05 pesos from November.
- Tomatoes: 7.56% increase (from 26.00 to 27.97 pesos per kg)
- Jalapeño peppers: 6.27% increase (from 36.71 to 39.01 pesos)
- Pickled chilies: 6.44% increase (from 24.75 to 26.34 pesos)
- Green tomatoes: 5.06% increase (from 37.70 to 39.61 pesos)
- Beans: 4.24% increase (from 40.50 to 42.22 pesos)
Tabasco Sees the Highest Increase
Which states will see the most expensive Christmas Eve dinner? According to ANPEC, Tabasco experienced the highest increase, with a 5.88% rise. Coahuila followed with 5.79%, Puebla with 4.50%, Campeche with 4.30%, and Chihuahua with 4.24%.
“We close this year having faced difficult trials by Mexican families and small businesses alike,” said Cuauhtémoc Rivera, ANPEC president.
The upcoming December festivities, traditionally associated with togetherness, consumption, and hope, are not immune to the ongoing inflation challenges and rising costs of basic food items.
Throughout the year, small retailers have had to overcome numerous obstacles. Climate anomalies, prolonged droughts, intense rains, and flooding in various regions have disrupted supply chains, increased logistics costs, and caused losses in agro-food products.
These difficulties are compounded by the cumulative effects of inflation, which consistently erode consumer purchasing power and squeeze the profit margins of small stores, markets, and neighborhood businesses.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the basic food basket (BFB)? The BFB consists of 44 essential consumption items, including tomatoes, onions, jalapeño peppers, potatoes, lemons, rice, and tortillas.
- What states will experience the most significant price increases for Christmas Eve dinner? Tabasco saw the highest increase (5.88%), followed by Coahuila (5.79%), Puebla (4.50%), Campeche (4.30%), and Chihuahua (4.24%).
- What challenges have small retailers faced this year? Small retailers have dealt with climate anomalies, prolonged droughts, intense rains, and flooding, which have disrupted supply chains, increased logistics costs, and caused losses in agro-food products. Additionally, inflation has eroded consumer purchasing power and squeezed profit margins.
