The Central Bank of Chile has published the Determinants and Expectations of Prices Survey, based on information collected in January, February and March 2026, covering firms' price-setting dynamics and their economic expectations. The main results point to a renewed increase in perceived cost pressures over the latest rolling quarter, reversing the deceleration seen previously, while selling prices remained around neutral levels and sales volumes showed no significant change. In that context, profit margins fell slightly. The survey indicates that both costs and input availability have recently increased their upward pressure on firms' selling prices. The influence of the exchange rate remained below neutral, although it reversed part of the decline seen in earlier months, while sales levels continued to exert downward pressure on prices. A larger share of firms expects higher input costs and expects to raise selling prices over the next 12 months. Median inflation expectations increased slightly to 3.3% at the 12-month horizon, while the 24-month median remained at 3%.
Central Bank of Chile 2026-05-05
Central Bank of Chile publishes business pricing survey showing rising cost pressures and 12 month inflation expectations of 3.3%
The Central Bank of Chile has published its Determinants and Expectations of Prices Survey for January–March 2026, indicating renewed cost pressures, stable selling prices, unchanged sales volumes and slightly lower profit margins. Firms report stronger upward pressure on prices from costs and input availability, partly offset by weak sales, and more expect higher input costs and selling prices over the next 12 months. Median inflation expectations rose to 3.3% at 12 months, while the 24‑month median remained at 3%.