Rice, cubanela chili, creole garlic and lemon increased in price in January

Santo Domingo – Some products of greater consumption in Dominican households, such as superior rice, cubanela chili, creole garlic, plantain, and lemon, have increased their value at the beginning of this year.

According to the Ministry of Economy, the price index of agricultural products stood at 129.2 points, for a minimum monthly variation of 0.5%, and a change of 0.7 percentage points (PP), compared to December 2023, which closed at 128.5 points. The variation between December 2022 and January 2023 was 3.1 %.

A PP is the unit used to measure the difference between two percentages.

This evolution, explained Economía, is due to the rise in the prices of cubanela chili in supermarkets, where the pound went from costing RD$53.8 in December of the previous year to RD$68.1 in January 2024, which represents a monthly variation of 26.5 %, and an increase of RD$14.3.

Something similar happened with garlic produced in the country, which, from being sold at RD$209.4 per pound, went to cost RD$221.7, that is, it is now sold RD$12.3 more expensive. This also represents a variation of 5.9%.

Superior rice, one of the main foods in the basic food basket, also experienced a slight increase of five cents: the pound went from being worth RD$29.3 in December 2023 to RD$29.8 at the beginning of this year, equivalent to a variation of 1.6 %.

“Changes in seasonal price patterns may be influenced by extreme weather conditions, changes in seasonal demand, fluctuations in international prices and market speculation,” the government institution explained in the bulletin.

“These factors may vary according to the type of product and the specific period in which the changes occur,” it added.

Another product that increased its price, according to Economía’s analysis and follow-ups embodied in its most recent report, was lemon: the dozen went from RD$112.9 to RD$136.4, so it will now be sold at an increase of RD$23.5 more. The price represents a variation of 20.8%.

A unit of green plantain, another food par excellence of the basic food basket, went from RD$26.3 to RD$26.8, representing a minimal increase of just five cents and a variation of 1.8%.

The red bell pepper also registered an increase. From RD$75.8 per pound, it rose to RD$82, or RD$6.2, which was more expensive. This represents a variation of 8.1%.

A pound of salad tomato, one of the varieties most consumed by Dominicans, cost RD$46.6 and rose to RD$47, meaning it is now marketed four cents more, equivalent to a variation of 0.9%.

Livestock products

“The price index of livestock products stood at 130.1 points, for a monthly variation of -0.1 %. The monthly evolution is mainly explained by decreased processed chicken prices (0.26 p.p.),” the Ministry of Economy reported.

The pound of fresh whole chicken was sold at RD$80.9 in December 2023 and decreased to RD$81 at the beginning of this year. The drop is one cent.

However, the unit of eggs, which cost RD$7.5, increased to RD$7.6, which is one cent more expensive.

Another livestock food that registered increases was the pork chop, whose pound was sold at RD$162.4 and rose to RD$170.4, which means that, for the time being, it will cost RD$8 more. This corresponds to a variation of 5%.

This has also been the case for pork leg: the pound had a value of RD$124.3 and increased to RD$129.5; now it will cost RD$5.2 more. The monthly variation is 4.2%.

Market Comparison

In January, the supermarket price for green plantain was RD$4.5 below the selling price in other retail markets: Los Mina, Villa Consuelo, Nuevo, Conaprope, Cristo Rey, and Mercadom, according to Economía.

“In contrast, potato granola, superior rice, processed chicken, smoked pork chop, Creole avocado, pinto beans and garlic exhibited higher prices in supermarkets than in other retail markets, the latter two standing out, with differences of RD$12.9 and RD$13.6 per pound, respectively,” the institution reported.