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ECONOMY · BOLIVIA

Bolivia food prices are climbing faster than wages, and some families in La Paz say their market budget has roughly doubled. The complaints come ten days after the government ended cheap diesel, the fuel that moves most of the country’s food.

Official data have not yet caught the change. The national statistics institute, known as INE, put inflation at 1.10 percent in August and 5.02 percent over twelve months.

Dried chillies for sale at the Mercado Rodríguez in La Paz. Food is where Bolivian households feel price rises first. (Photo: EVIIILL, via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0)

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What families told reporters

Mothers shopping in La Paz markets on Monday described the squeeze to the television channel Unitel. One said Bs 200 (about US$17) used to cover her shopping. Now, she said, she sets out with almost a whole wage.

Another, feeding six people, said the household needs at least Bs 700 (about US$58) a week. A third said she now needs “double the budget”, at least Bs 500 (about US$42).

In Santa Cruz, Bolivia’s largest city, the channel Red Uno checked market prices on 21 September. Rice had risen from Bs 7 to Bs 15 a kilo (about US$0.58 to US$1.25).

A tray of eggs went from Bs 24 to Bs 30 (about US$2.00 to US$2.50), Red Uno reported. Neither channel’s check is an official price index.

What the official figures show

INE’s figures tell a calmer story so far. Consumer prices rose 3.01 percent between January and August, helped by a 2.79 percent fall in July.

Monthly change in Bolivia's consumer price index, January–August 2026; 3.01% year to date and 5.02% over twelve months. Source: INE, monthly IPC releases, Feb–Sep 2026.

August’s rise came mainly from chicken, INE said, after 53 days of road blockades delayed restocking at poultry farms. Prices eased again from the second week of the month.

September data will first show the diesel change (Bolivia Diesel Subsidy Ends: Price Rises 83% as Fuel Queues Shrink). Diesel went from Bs 9.80 to Bs 17.95 a litre (about US$0.82 to US$1.49) on 19 September.

A minimum wage worth less in dollars

The national minimum wage has been Bs 3,300 (about US$275) a month since January 2026. President Rodrigo Paz raised it from Bs 2,750 (about US$229).

At the old fixed rate of 6.96 bolivianos to the dollar, that wage was worth about US$474. The peg ended in June. The central bank (BCB) set its official rate at Bs 12.02 per US dollar on 29 September.

Pressure for a raise is building. Víctor Tarqui of the drivers’ confederation told the agency ANF on 21 September the minimum should reach Bs 4,500 (about US$374).

In Tarija, deputy Richard López of the Unidad alliance proposed Bs 5,000 (about US$416), eju.tv reported on 26 September. The government has not responded to either figure.

The case for the reform

The government says the old diesel price cost the state heavily and invited theft. “We cannot buy expensive to sell cheap so that a few can steal it,” Paz said, as quoted by Bloomberg Línea.

Fuel queues that ran for days were shrinking, Unitel reported on 20 September. In December 2025 Paz had also lifted the Renta Dignidad pension from Bs 350 to Bs 500 (about US$29 to US$42) a month, Montero Noticias reported.

Economists still expect a jump in prices. Fernando Romero, a former head of Tarija’s college of economists, told Bloomberg Línea inflation could end 2026 at 17 to 20 percent.

The official projection is 14 percent, the outlet reported, and 2025 closed at 20.4 percent. For the earlier trend, see Bolivia Inflation Slows as Boliviano Loses Value.

What Is Not Yet Known

How far Bolivia food prices rise from the diesel change stays unclear until INE publishes September data in early October. Market checks by television channels are snapshots, not a national measure.

The government has not said whether it will revisit the minimum wage. Fare talks are also open (Bolivia Transport Strike Stops Santa Cruz as Drivers Head to Diesel Talks).

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are Bolivia’s food prices climbing?

Bolivia floated its currency in June 2026 and ended fixed-price diesel on 19 September; most food reaches markets by diesel truck.

What do the official figures show?

The statistics office INE put August inflation at 1.10%, and 5.02% over twelve months.

What is the minimum wage worth?

Bs 3,300 a month, about US$275.

Who feels the rise most?

Anyone paid in bolivianos; dollar earners feel little change.

Sources: Unitel (28 Sep 2026); INE (3 Sep 2026); Red Uno (21 Sep 2026); Red Uno, BCB rate (29 Sep 2026); Bloomberg Línea (22 Sep 2026); eju.tv (26 Sep 2026); ANF (21 Sep 2026); El País (Tarija) (27 Sep 2026); Montero Noticias (6 Aug 2026); Unitel (20 Sep 2026). US$ conversions at the BCB official rate of Bs 12.02 per US dollar, 29 Sep 2026. Chart: INE monthly IPC releases, January–August 2026.

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