In the markets of Greater Santo Domingo bananas are available and cheap

Santo Domingo — In the last few days, plantains have dropped in the main markets of Greater Santo Domingo, selling for less than RD$30.00 per unit, while rice and beans remain at the same prices as last month.

In the Mercado Nuevo de Villas Agrícolas and Villa Consuelo, bananas are sold per unit from R1 3.00, depending on the type of vianda, although vendors say these prices have only been on offer for a few days.

“There are plantains, here in the Mercado Nuevo, at RD$15.00, RD$20 and even RD$13.00 now, because a few weeks ago plantains were costing here up to RD$35.00 a unit,” said Jose Rodriguez.

As observed in both markets, plantains from the southern region of the country, the Azuanos and Barahoneros, are the most expensive, although they are below RD$30.00.

Rosa Pimentel is fine with the price bananas are offered in the markets. However, she points out that they continue to be sold at very high prices in grocery stores.

“Most people in the neighborhoods buy in grocery stores and that is where they take advantage of the high prices,” she said.

Meanwhile, rice, one of the products that registered the highest increase last month, is sold between RD$33.00 and RD$38.00 per pound.

Likewise, the price of the “habichuelas gira” beans oscillates at RD$60.00 per pound, the red beans at RD$85.00, and the imported beans at RD$75.00.

According to the Consumer Price Index (CPI) in February, coffee, rice, and red beans were some of the main products in the Dominican family’s basic food basket that registered the highest price increases.