High prices drive customers away from markets in the Dominican capital.

Santo Domingo — Constant increases in the prices of basic foodstuffs affect both merchants and buyers, resulting in almost minimal attendance at markets.

The products with the most significant increase have been oil, eggs, vegetables, bananas, chicken, onions, and beans.

During a tour of the markets in Villa Consuelo, Duarte, and 24 de Febrero, a near-total absence of residents buying supplies for their kitchens was observed; vendors claim this is due to the rising price of food.

Rice is between RD$35 and RD$40, green beans range from RD$60 to RD$75, onions are between RD$50 and RD$60, vegetables, RD$100 and RD$125, half a gallon of oil, from RD$250 to RD$300, green bananas, RD$10, a pound of yautia, RD$50, green plantains, RD$15, a pound of chicken, RD$75 and RD$80, and a carton of eggs, between RD$220 and RD$180.

“I’m here now because people know me, and sometimes someone comes and buys, but things are tough, and that’s how sales are,” said a root vegetable vendor at the 24 de Febrero market. María, a housewife who was buying beans and vegetables to cook for her family, said that basic food items are at a very high price compared to previous months.

“Chicken is expensive, and beans have gone up a lot; if it were up to me, I’d eat grubby stew with white rice , but my kids like chicken, and we have to buy what they eat, although sometimes we have to make do,” she said, shrugging, assuring that she tries to make do with what she can.

Housewives say they are looking for other alternatives to ensure food is available on their tables, but they don’t find it so costly to stock their pantry or stock it with essentials.

Central Bank Report

As of July 2025, the first quintile was at RD$28,158.90, the second quintile was at RD$36,626.05, the third quintile was at RD$43,223.06, the fourth quintile was at RD$50,042.36, and the fifth quintile was at RD$76,568.68. This data is found in the monthly report of the Central Bank of the Dominican Republic. (BCRD).

The Consumer Price Index (CPI) for July 2025 shows that the five groups with the most significant impact on inflation were Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages, Housing, Transportation, Restaurants and Hotels, and Miscellaneous Goods and Services, which together accounted for approximately 90 percent of inflation for that month.

In this regard, the 0.47% increase recorded in the Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages category is mainly explained by price increases for items such as fresh chicken, cassava, green bananas, baked bread, salami, and others.

The BCRD’s results stipulate that the increase in the price of fresh chicken, the food item with the most significant relative share in this group, is due to the combined effects of high temperatures and the rainy season typical of this time of year, factors that seasonally affect the productivity of this product.

It is important to note that some foods, such as garlic, avocados, sour lemons, soybean oil, oranges, and onions, among others, showed price decreases, partially mitigating inflation for this group as a whole.