Wholesale prices of white maize have been declining overall since September 2023 in most countries of the subregion due to increased supplies from the main season harvest and year-on-year larger imports. In February 2024, prices were stable or declined month-on-month in El Salvador, Nicaragua and Honduras. In Guatemala, prices were stable with the ongoing harvest in the northern producing region. Compared to the high price levels observed in February 2023, white maize prices were about 10 percent lower year-on-year in Nicaragua and Guatemala and around 20 percent below those a year ago in Honduras and El Salvador. In Mexico, wholesale prices of white maize showed mixed trends, month‑on-month, in February 2024. In Xalapa market (Veracruz State), after sustained increases since September 2023, prices declined in February, with improved supplies from the recently‑completed 2023 main harvest. By contrast, in Culiacán market (Sinaloa State), prices rose by 13 percent due to unfavourable production prospects for the 2024 minor crop, on account of well below‑average plantings in the key producing region of Sinaloa State. Across major markets, prices were near or below their year‑earlier levels, except in Xalapa market, where prices remained 45 percent higher year-on‑year.

Wholesale prices of black beans weakened for the fourth consecutive month in February 2024 in Guatemala, as the ongoing harvest in northern and eastern areas improved market supplies. However, prices remained 18 percent up from a year earlier following sustained increases between February and October 2023. In Mexico, prices of black beans rose in most markets, despite the recently‑completed main season harvest, and they were up to about 35 percent higher year‑on-year due to production shortfalls in 2023. Regarding red beans, wholesale prices weakened for the fourth consecutive month in February in El Salvador, while they exhibited mixed trends in Honduras. In Nicaragua, after declines in the past three months, prices rose moderately in February 2024 ahead of the start of the apante season harvest. In the aforementioned three countries, prices were at least 10 percent down from a year ago.

In Costa Rica, retail prices of rice strengthened marginally in February 2024 and were near their year-earlier values, as abundant supplies from large imports in 2023 offset a significant drop in domestic output. In the Dominican Republic, retail prices of rice continued to strengthen moderately and were 20 percent up from a year earlier, reflecting lower year-on-year paddy outputs in 2023.

In Haiti, retail prices of domestically-produced maize meal were stable or rose in January 2024, ahead of the start of the third season harvest. In Jacmel market (Sud-Est Department), prices rose by about 30 percent month‑on‑month, as the expected reduced output provided strong upward pressure on prices. Prices of black beans were steady, with the notable exception of Cap-Haïtien market (Nord Department), where prices increased sharply by 25 percent month-on-month. Prices of imported rice, vegetable oil and wheat flour were stable in most major markets, reflecting the stable gourde against the United States dollar in January 2024. In the capital city of Port-au-Prince, prices of most food items were stable despite a deterioration of market conditions as a result of heightened insecurity.