According to the 2026 Consumer Radiography of the Food Industry, commissioned by the Chamber of Marketing, Industry and Food Distribution (MIDA), Puerto Rican consumers have limited their visits to supermarkets and are more judicious in their purchases due to having less to spend. Jenniffer Garland, senior director of Walmart, noted that 'fresh meats' are a common denominator in all consumer profiles. The survey found that 93% of consumers buy chicken and consume it three to four times a week, while 68% buy beef and 61% buy seafood.
The consumption of meats increased from 64% in 2025 to 76% in 2026. Other popular products include rice, eggs, and fresh vegetables. The survey also found that 61% of consumers' income goes to daily necessities such as transportation, mortgage, food, and household products.
Félix López of Econo noted that this shows consumers are extremely conscious of how they manage their budget. The study reported that 45% of respondents had annual incomes of less than $20,000.