The start of the year brought new challenges for the Mexican
family economy. During January 2026, the general price level showed a rebound
that once again placed inflation above the target set by the Bank of Mexico
(Banxico), a situation that translates into higher expenses for households,
especially for food and everyday services.
The central bank maintains a target inflation rate of around
3% annually; however, the most recent data indicate that the country has not
yet managed to converge to that range. Although authorities estimate that it
could be reached by the third quarter of the year, the start of 2026 reflects
that price pressures remain.
According to figures from the National Institute of
Statistics and Geography (INEGI), annual inflation reached 3.79% during
January, slightly above the level observed in the first half of the month,
confirming a trend of gradual price increases.
Products and Services with the Largest Price Increases
The increase was not uniform. Some items and services stood
out for registering more pronounced price hikes, directly impacting families'
daily consumption. Among the main increases are:
Lemons
Cigarettes
Bananas
Bottled soft drinks
Meals at small eateries, lunch counters, sandwich shops, and
taco stands
Restaurants and food establishments
Electricity
Domestic services
Prepared foods
Ownership
These increases are due to both seasonal factors and
adjustments to taxes and production costs, which have raised the final price of
various frequently consumed goods.
Overall, the behavior of inflation during January
anticipates a start to the year with greater economic pressures for consumers,
while monetary authorities continue to implement measures to stabilize prices.