Mexico Among OECD’s Highest Food Inflation

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) reported that Mexico ranked among the five countries with the highest inflation in its 38-member group. The average annual rate across the bloc stood at 3.4%, up from 3.3% in the previous month. Mexico recorded a 4% general inflation rate, placing it alongside Estonia, Iceland, Colombia, and Türkiye, which registered the highest level at 31.5%.

The OECD noted that inflation trends remained uneven across member economies, with price increases rising in 13 countries, declining in nine, and remaining stable in 15. While some economies such as the United States (2.4%) and Canada (1.8%) reported moderate inflation, food prices continued to exert upward pressure across the group, with OECD food inflation reaching 4% in February, up from 3.7% in January.

Mexico also stood out in food inflation metrics. In April 2026, the country recorded a 6.4% annual increase in food prices, placing it among the OECD’s most affected economies and well above the organization’s 4% average. The figure positioned Mexico fourth in the ranking, behind Colombia (6.7%) and close to Norway (6.6%), reflecting persistent pressure on the national food basket.

The OECD highlighted that inflation dispersion remains significant across countries, with extreme cases such as Türkiye reaching 34.5%. The organization also warned that energy and fertilizer price shocks continue to feed food inflation globally, particularly affecting vulnerable households.

Mathias Cormann, Secretary General, OECD, stated that central banks must closely monitor inflation risks and remain prepared to act. “Our Economic Outlook indicates that rising energy and fertilizer prices could lead to higher food prices, which would particularly affect vulnerable households.” He added that energy supply disruptions linked to geopolitical tensions are putting the global economy to the test and are expected to keep inflation elevated in the short term.

In Mexico, food inflation pressures have been amplified by sharp increases in staple products such as tomatoes and potatoes. Tomato prices rose 99.2% year-over-year, while potato prices increased 57.3%, making them among the main contributors to inflationary pressure in the food basket. Combined, these increases have pushed household food spending higher than the national inflation rate.

According to INEGI, the average monthly cost per person for a basic food basket reached MX$2,597.3 (US$148.4) in urban areas and MX$1,960.23 in rural areas, both reflecting annual increases above 6%. Separate estimates show that individuals in urban areas required MX$4,954 per month to cover basic needs, while rural residents required MX$3,572, with rural inflation rising faster at 6.3%.

Supply-side constraints have been a key driver of food inflation. Adverse weather conditions, water shortages, crop disease, and reduced planting areas in key agricultural regions have limited production. In Mexico’s tomato sector, planted area in Sinaloa fell 16%, while total harvest losses reached up to 25%. Similar pressures have affected potato yields in northern production zones due to reduced chill hours and climate variability.