Slower increases in food and fuel prices pushed inflation in Mexicali to its lowest level in six years, according to new data from Mexico’s national statistics agency, INEGI.
The agency reported that annual inflation in the border city stood at 2.12% during the first half of January 2026, down from 2.43% over the same period last year. The figure also extends a downward trend that has now lasted three consecutive years.
Food prices played a key role in the slowdown. Inflation for food products fell to 1.92% year over year during the first two weeks of January, compared with 4.61% during the same period in 2025, Mayor Norma Bustamante said while citing INEGI data.
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Among the items showing the sharpest deceleration in Mexicali were staples such as milk, eggs, chicken, beans, rice, bread, bananas, tomatoes, and carrots.
Energy prices also eased. Household LP gas posted an annual deflation rate of 1.07% in the first half of January, a sharp reversal from the 9.44% increase recorded a year earlier.
Gasoline prices followed a similar pattern. Regular gasoline saw prices fall 3.49% compared with the same period last year, after rising 8.57% in early 2025. Premium gasoline also edged lower, with prices down 0.53% year over year, compared with a 3.80% increase a year earlier.
