Lempira Depreciation

Honduras's currency depreciated to near L27 per dollar as of early August, prompting economists to warn of pressure on import prices while the Central Bank says the decline is moderate and driven by normal supply-and-demand forces.

Honduras's national university economic institute forecasts the lempira will weaken to 27.15 per dollar by end-2026 and 27.98 per dollar by end-2027, a slower pace than 2025's 4.16% decline, while international reserves remain strong at 11.45 billion dollars.

Economist Ismael Zepeda warns that each cent of lempira depreciation against the dollar directly raises costs for food, fuel, and services; the currency has weakened 1.5% in the first half of 2026, nearing 27 lempiras per dollar.

Former president of Honduras's economists' association Liliana Castillo projects the lempira could depreciate to 27 per US dollar by September if it continues declining at its current rate of about 6 centavos monthly, a gradual depreciation she says would cushion domestic prices better than a sharper drop.

The Honduran lempira has depreciated to over 26.87 per dollar in sales, with economists and civil organizations warning that the currency weakness is driving inflation and raising the cost of living.

Honduras's electric utility regulator approved a third rate increase for 2026 effective July 1, expected to raise bills 5–10% through September, pushing year-to-date increases to nearly 15% amid inflation above target and lempira depreciation.