Mexico's Inflation Hits 19-Month High

Mexico's annual inflation rate rose to 4.59% in March 2026 from 4.02% in February, the highest since August 2024 but slightly below forecasts of 4.61%. Food and non-alcoholic beverages led the acceleration at 6.91%, followed by alcoholic beverages and tobacco at 8.05%, and restaurants and lodging at 7.16%. Healthcare rose 5.43%, education 5.94%, personal care and miscellaneous goods 5.52%, and insurance and financial services 4.36%. Amid the Middle East oil supply crisis, energy prices rose 2.21% and transport costs climbed 2.62%. Deflation was recorded solely in information and communication at -0.84%. Monthly consumer prices rose 0.86%.

The annual inflation rate in Mexico rose to 4.02% in February of 2026 from 3.79% in the previous month, firmly ahead of market expectations of 3.94% to mark the highest inflation rate since June of the previous year. While not a significant overshoot, it was also the first month of inflation above the Bank of Mexico's upper threshold of 4% in the period. Consumer prices rose sharply for processed food and beverages (6.2%) and fruits and vegetables (9.88%). Inflation was also significant for services (4.45%), which is seen as part of the underlying inflation trend by Banxico. From the previous month, consumer prices were 0.5% higher.

Mexico’s annual inflation rate rose to 3.79% in January 2026 from 3.69% in the previous month, below market expectations of 3.82%. Price pressures were strongest in other services (7.68%), a category that includes street food outlets, restaurants and similar venues, mobile phone services, car maintenance, medical consultations and packaged tourism services. Inflation was also elevated in healthcare and personal care (5.37%) and food, beverages and tobacco (4.43%). Prices for clothing, footwear and accessories increased 2.82%, while housing costs rose 2.91%. The smallest increases were recorded in furniture and household appliances (1.38%) and transport (1.58%). On a monthly basis, consumer prices rose 0.38%.