Bch Data

Honduras's manufacturing industry grew 1.5% in the first quarter of 2026, reversing a 3.0% contraction in the prior quarter, driven by increased demand for food and beverages including processed coffee, fish, oils, flour, and bakery products.

Gross domestic product expanded 1.2% in the first quarter of 2026 compared to the previous quarter, the strongest first-quarter growth in recent years and well above the 0.1% recorded in late 2025, signaling moderate economic acceleration.

Foreign direct investment in Honduras dropped 27% in the first six months of 2026 to $213 million, about $80 million less than the same period last year, the Central Bank confirmed.

Central Bank President Roberto Lagos said Honduras must prepare monetary and fiscal measures aligned with IMF recommendations to contain inflation, while currently monitoring how fuel prices ripple through the economy; he indicated no immediate rate adjustment is needed given US Federal Reserve policy.

Honduras's exports grew 2.8% quarter-over-quarter, driven by increased sales of coffee, crude oil, cigars, and services, while imports rose 2.1% due to higher purchases of industrial inputs, machinery, transport equipment, and fuel.

Honduras's net foreign reserves have accumulated $1.124 billion since January 27, the Central Bank reported, with import coverage holding steady at 6.6 months.

The Central Bank auctioned $95.6 million in its June 29 foreign-exchange sale, setting the weighted average exchange rate at L26.7183 per dollar for June 30.

Honduras recorded a current-account surplus of $763.7 million in the first quarter of 2026, driven by strong family remittances and rising exports, particularly coffee.

Honduras's net international reserves have accumulated $1.13 billion since January 27, the central bank reported as of June 25, while import coverage held steady at 6.6 months.

Honduras's net international investment position stood at minus $11.23 billion in the first quarter of 2026, an improvement of $1.27 billion from the end of 2025 as the country reduced its net debtor position.

The Central Bank's Global Real Effective Exchange Rate Index rose 2.34% year-over-year in May 2026, marking five consecutive months of improved export competitiveness driven by favorable exchange-rate movements.

The Central Bank of Honduras auctioned $93.8 million in its daily currency sale on June 26, setting the exchange rate at L26.7217 per dollar for the weekend and Monday.

As of March 2026, Honduras's foreign-exchange reserves reached 144.4% of the IMF's recommended sufficiency level (100%–150%), exceeding the prudential threshold and bolstering the country's ability to withstand external economic shocks.

Honduras's public external debt reached $10.76 billion as of March 2026, up $24.5 million from December 2025.

The Central Bank auctioned $93.8 million in foreign currency on June 24, setting the weighted average exchange rate at L26.7170 per dollar for June 25.

The Central Bank of Honduras auctioned $106.2 million in its daily currency offering on June 23, setting the weighted average exchange rate at L26.7190 per dollar for June 24.

Family remittances, which account for 54.2% of all foreign currency inflows to Honduras, are sustaining a positive net foreign-exchange position amid slower growth in outflows.

Interest rates on new loans and deposits in Honduras are falling, especially in lempiras, as bank deposits grow and credit conditions normalize across the financial system.

The Central Bank of Honduras says strengthening net international reserves are boosting liquidity in the economy, prompting active monetary management to control excess liquidity and preserve price stability.

The Central Bank of Honduras allocated $85.1 million in its June 22 foreign-exchange auction, setting the weighted average exchange rate at L26.7166 per dollar for June 23.

Honduras's net foreign reserves reached $1.19 billion as of June 19, up sharply from late January, while import coverage remained stable at 6.6 months.

The Central Bank of Honduras auctioned $82.2 million in its June 19 currency sale, setting an average exchange rate of L26.7135 per dollar for June 20–22.

Honduras's net foreign reserves grew by $1.18 billion from late January to mid-June 2026, while import coverage remained stable at 6.6 months of goods and services.

Economist Guillermo Matamoros says the Central Bank of Honduras must implement mitigation measures as inflation indicators suggest it will exceed the bank's target range, though May data shows a slowdown from April.

The Central Bank of Honduras sold $79.9 million in its June 18 foreign-exchange auction, setting the average exchange rate at L26.7074 per dollar for June 19.

The Central Bank of Honduras auctioned $94.6 million in its June 17 foreign-exchange tender, setting the weighted average exchange rate at L26.7040 per dollar for June 18.

Honduras's business confidence index (ICAE) reached 63.8 points in May 2026, its highest level for that month in six years, continuing an upward trend through the first half of the year.

The Central Bank's analysts project Honduras's economy will grow 3.6% in 2026 and 3.8% in 2027, within the range set by the 2026–2027 monetary program.

Honduras's central bank forecasts year-over-year inflation of 4.98% by December 2026, declining to the bank's target range of 3.0%–5.0% by May 2028.

The Central Bank of Honduras auctioned $98.3 million in its foreign-exchange tender on June 16, establishing a weighted-average exchange rate of L26.6946 per dollar for June 17.