Cost of basic food basket rises in March

Santo Domingo.- In March 2025, the national cost of the basic food basket in the Dominican Republic rose to RD$46,716.79, an increase of RD$146.09 compared to the previous month. While the rise appears modest, it underscores ongoing inflationary pressures affecting household budgets across income levels.

The highest increases were observed in the 4th and 5th income quintiles—representing wealthier households—due in part to rising costs of vehicles, airline tickets, and telecommunications, including streaming services. Meanwhile, inflation was less pronounced among lower-income households (quintiles 1 and 2), largely thanks to stable or slowed prices for food and non-alcoholic beverages, which account for a greater share of their spending.

Overall inflation in March was 3.58% year-on-year, remaining within the Central Bank’s target range of 4.0% ± 1%. However, transportation was the sector with the greatest monthly impact, contributing 0.11 percentage points to overall inflation, mainly due to higher costs for vehicles, airfare, and repair services. Despite stable fuel prices, transportation-related costs continue to exert pressure on the cost of goods and services.