Rising food prices impact Dominicans’ Christmas Eve dinners

Santo Domingo.- With Christmas Eve approaching, many Dominican families face difficulties maintaining the tradition of festive dinners due to rising food prices. Essential items like chicken, rice, beans, and vegetables, as well as holiday staples such as grapes, apples, and nuts, have seen significant price increases compared to last year, driven by factors like higher fuel costs, climate impacts on production, and a weakened peso.

The cost of a simple Christmas Eve dinner for a family of four now ranges between 5,000 and 6,500 Dominican pesos, a steep rise from around 3,500 pesos five years ago. For families with limited incomes, this increase forces tough decisions, with some sacrificing other monthly expenses or opting for more modest celebrations.

In response, the Dominican government has distributed subsidized Christmas bags and organized fairs offering essential goods at lower prices. Meanwhile, families are adapting through cost-sharing, ingredient substitutions, and smaller portions to preserve the spirit of togetherness and joy that defines the holiday season.

Source: El Nacional