Since the outbreak conflict in the Middle Eastthe pockets of Dominicans have also felt the impact, because after a tour of the markets of Villa Consuelo, Agricultural Villas and different neighborhood grocery stores in Greater Santo Domingo, reality repeats itself with complaints, resignation and daily adjustments.
These data contrast the information provided by the Minister of Industry and Commerce, Eduardo (Yayo) Sanz Lovatónwho assured that none of the products in the basic basket have had price increases, this thanks to the fact that the “plan” executed by the Government has worked “completely.”
When visiting the different markets of Santo Domingo it was possible to see that the reality is very different from what is said.
“Almost everything has gone up,” is how he sums it up Guillermina Perezmerchant in the Villa Consuelo market. “Everything, all products have gone up.”
However, when detailing the different variations, the beansfor example, have remained relatively stable, with prices between RD$70 and RD$75, while the rice It continues at RD$35 per pound, without significant variations so far.
However, products like cod reflect more notable increases, reaching RD$270 per pound, positioning itself as one of the most affected products. “Customers fight and everything, but in the end they have to buy it because they have to eat,” Pérez commented.
Even so, not all products have followed the same trend. When talking about chickenthis has experienced a reduction in its price. In Villa Consuelo It sells for RD$75 a pound. The merchant Soto Díaz explained it with concern. “The market is empty, there is no sale, and if it is cheap and there is no sale, tell me?” he commented for Listín Diario.
Likewise, the bananas have dropped considerably from RD$30 to RD$15. This instability is confirmed by another trader, products such as chili They are available at RD$50 per pound, tomato at RD35, the carrot at RD$35 equally and the broccoli At RD$50.
From the consumer side, perception is even more critical. “You can’t buy it, everything is high, the only thing that is cheap in this country is salt,” said a client, while adding that “prices are through the roof, there is nothing that has not gone up.”
Agricultural Villas
In Villas Agrícolas the panorama shows a certain balance in basic products, but with marked increases in proteins.
He rice remains between RD$35 and RD$37 pesos, depending on the presentation, while the beans They range from RD$45 for black ones to RD$80 for red ones. The pigeon peas It is at RD$60 per pound.
However, the meats have reflected an upward trend. The beef has reached prices between RD$175 and RD$200 per pound, while the pig has risen from RD$120 to RD$135 and RD$140, while the so-called “talk” went from RD$80 to RD$100.
“Everything has exploded, what there is not is merchandise. The slaughterhouses are not receiving meat and when customers come to buy from me they leave me with the minced meat when they find out the price.” Another merchant described.
As in Villa Consuelo, the chicken It remains one of the most accessible products, with a stable price of RD$75 per pound. As for the provisionsbananas have also dropped, going from RD25 and RD30 to RD$18 and RD$20 currently. Even so, sellers agree that customers have decreased.
Colmados
When we talk about prices we cannot ignore the grocery stores, as these reflect another reality from the perspective of the neighborhoods with much higher prices than the markets.
In the grocery storeThe New Neighbor” in Villa Juana, a water bottle for sale RD$110, chicken at RD$90 per pound and bananas at RD$35, although just a month ago the latter were at RD$40.
In another establishment, the bottle maintains the same price of RD$110, while the bananas are sold for RD$30. However the oil It presents different presentations: in bottles at RD$115 and sachets from RD$30 to RD$60.
One of the few products that has dropped is the eggwhich went from costing RD$10 pesos per unit to currently being sold for two for RD$15.
