Pro Consumidor denies that chicken costs 125 pesos

Santo Domingo — Following the recent statements by former President Leonel Fernández about the increase in chicken prices, the executive director of the National Institute for the Protection of Consumer Rights ( Pro Consumidor), Eddy Alcántara, insisted that this statement does not correspond to the facts reflected in the national market.

” It’s not true that chicken has reached RD$125 in markets or supermarkets. It’s not true, and I’m going to tell you this in every way possible.” I invite him, and it’s not a challenge, and I invite his economists to go live with cameras to the markets,” he emphasized, asserting that if this were true, he would resign from his state position.

His comment is based on the moment when President Luis Abinader offered the leader of the Fuerza del Pueblo (FP) a trip to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations ( FAO ) to analyze the Government’s food programs; Abinader responded that just because chicken costs 125 pesos, it wasn’t necessary to travel so far.

Alcántara criticized Fernández for promoting merchants with such comments, leading consumers to believe this is a reality, and for selling things at high prices that hurt consumers’ wallets.

He clarified that during yesterday’s market discussions, he stated that the pound is traded at RD$64 and RD$68, whereas in supermarkets, the highest cost is listed at RD$87. However, he did not rule out the possibility that some distant grocery store that purchased the product through various links in the chain might have a higher price.

“Now, when you talk about RD$125 in the market, it’s because you don’t know the marketing mechanism,” he said, explaining that chicken maintains the price it had three months ago because, even though 30% of chickens die on farms during high temperatures, Abinader anticipated this and froze two million chicken units to cover this loss.

“The price now is the same as it was, except for some fluctuations up and down. It’s the same as it was in May,” he reiterated, also alleging the existence of excessive inflation caused by exogenous factors that are affecting all global economies, including the Dominican Republic.

He urged the former president not to misinform the Dominican population to gain followers in the 2028 elections.

Likewise, the Minister of Industry, Commerce, and MSMEs, Víctor “Ito” Bisonó, stated that throughout the year, it is normal for certain products to fluctuate over time due to factors such as weather, phytosanitary conditions, and specific demand. Regarding this particular issue, he stated that high temperatures affect the price of this food, creating temporary fluctuations that eventually return to normal.

“Prices can fluctuate one way or another,” he told the press, arguing that when prices rise due to shortages, the fluctuation will last as long as it takes for the chicken to grow for consumption, usually two or three months.

Regarding possible import plans for this product, he replied that when necessary, it is done, as it is part of the supply and price table that they review to provide stability and peace of mind.