Browse Honduras Daily Stories

ASJ economist Obed García warned that rising energy costs and imported inflation could push Honduras's consumer price index up by 1.4%–3.7%, citing CEPAL projections, and urged the government to boost public and productive investment to cushion household incomes.

Honduras's net international reserves reached $1.165 billion as of July 24, up from January 27, with import coverage holding steady at 6.6 months.

Housing Minister Francis Argeñal announced a $400 million National Comprehensive Housing Plan, funded by the Latin American Development Bank and administered by the state housing bank Banhprovi, to provide mortgages to eligible families beginning in September.

Honduras imported over $3.06 billion in Chinese goods in 2025—34% technology and equipment, plus metal products and construction materials—widening the trade deficit with China to $3.13 billion as exports remain limited.

A northern Honduras fuel distributor says crude-oil prices will continue climbing for at least two weeks due to Middle East tensions, though he notes price controls are managed through international regulations to prevent sharp spikes in the basic basket and inflation.

The government, agro-industry, and producer associations agreed on a bulk purchase price of 680 lempiras per quintal (about $27 per 100 lb) of white corn for the 2026–2027 agricultural cycle, with agro-industrial buyers committing to purchase 880,000 to 1.4 million quintals.

The National Housing Bank (BANHPROVI) plans to begin distributing L11 billion (about $440 million) in new financing from the Development Bank of Latin America (CAF) for housing projects starting in late September 2026.

The Central Bank of Honduras allocated $95.6 million in its July 27 currency auction, establishing a weighted average exchange rate of L26.7885 per US dollar for July 28.

The National Financial Inclusion Strategy (ENIF) 2025–2030 aims to expand access to bank accounts, digital payments, and formal credit for rural Hondurans, women, and small businesses historically locked out of the formal system.

COHEP's July 2026 regional competitiveness bulletin projects 3.4% economic growth in 2026 backed by remittances, but flags Honduras ranking 95th globally in economic freedom, 119th in innovation among 139 countries, and third worldwide in climate vulnerability.

Honduras's basic food basket has risen to about L16,000 (roughly $640) per month, exceeding the average minimum wage of L14,917, forcing many families to send at least two earners to work just to cover food costs.

The agricultural marketing institute reports Honduras holds 120,000 quintals (about 5,400 metric tons) of beans in reserve and rules out imports for now, citing adequate stocks and new harvests expected within 45 days from multiple regions despite ongoing dry conditions.

Honduras's banking commission (CNBS) is preparing regulations for cryptocurrency and virtual-asset companies through reforms to anti-money-laundering law, aiming to meet international standards ahead of a Financial Action Task Force evaluation in August and prevent illicit fund flows.

Juan Carlos Hernández, president of Honduras's economics association, says family remittances have strengthened household purchasing ability for food, education, and health, and reduced demand for consumer credit.

The Central Bank of Honduras auctioned $83.5 million in its weekly foreign-exchange offering, setting the weighted average exchange rate at L26.7824 per dollar for July 25–27.

Honduras deposited its ratification of the ICSID convention on July 17, becoming the 159th state to join the World Bank dispute-settlement mechanism for foreign-investment disputes, effective August 16.

Honduras's basic food basket increased from L14,500 to L16,000 between December 2025 and July 2026, according to Artículo 19, with meat, dairy, beans, and vegetables driving the cost surge and squeezing household buying power.

Credit to Honduras's private sector is growing, with most new lending to businesses concentrated in services, real estate, and agriculture, the Central Bank reports.

Honduras's foreign-currency inflows grew compared to a year earlier, driven chiefly by robust family remittances, while outflows grew at a slower pace, producing a net positive currency gap.

Cohep President Anabel Gallardo said Honduras escaped an additional 2.5% tariff hike from the United States but warned that some sectors still face 10% duties and need continued trade negotiations to improve conditions.

Honduras's energy ministry announced new fuel prices effective July 27, with gasoline, diesel, kerosene, and vehicle gas rising by up to 5.59 lempiras per gallon in San Pedro Sula, while the government maintains temporary subsidies on regular gasoline and diesel.

Vendors at the Feria del Agricultor are absorbing a recent L2-per-pound cost rise to keep beef prices stable, though drought threatening cattle feed may force adjustments in coming weeks.

President Nasry Asfura announced $17 million in additional funding to expand ProOccidente, a rural development program, into Honduras's Dry Corridor, aiming to provide technical assistance, climate-smart technologies, financing, and market access to over 4,500 small and medium-sized farmers.

The Central Bank of Honduras auctioned $86.8 million in its July 23 foreign-exchange sale, setting the weighted average exchange rate at L 26.7768 per dollar for July 24.

Presidential trade commissioner Melvin Redondo said Honduras has complied with legal requirements in a US tariff review affecting 17–20% of exports and has passed a decree banning imports from forced-labor conditions to avoid a potential 12.5% increase.

The private-sector business council says Honduras should borrow the $400 million CAF financing to strengthen the housing bank and spur construction, but opposes debt used only to cover government operating costs.

The head of Honduras's apparel manufacturers association is calling on the government to negotiate zero tariffs with the United States for agricultural goods and auto parts, matching Mexico's treatment, to boost competitiveness as the Trump administration considers new trade measures.

Honduras sold a 10-year sovereign bond for $815.67 million at a 6.4% interest rate, securing funds for debt management and the national budget while locking in interest rates more than 2 percentage points lower than a 2024 issuance.

The Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Cortés warned that international companies have suspended investment plans in Honduras pending the outcome of U.S. tariff negotiations, citing concern that a 10% tariff and potential further restrictions could push capital to competing Central American countries and hurt the manufacturing and job sectors.

Honduras's government is lobbying to be excluded from new US tariffs threatening 12% duties on key exports, arguing the country meets US labor and human-rights standards and that about 600,000 jobs depend on market access.