In 2022, historical figures have been recorded regarding inflation that until November it registered an annual variation of 12.53%, the highest of the corridos of the 21st century. The CPI has been marked by the price of food and non-alcoholic beverages, transportation, restaurants and hotels.
(Read: In 2023 the country’s economy would go down and without a parachute).
There is a trend that has been clear: Cúcuta is the city with the highest inflation figures so far in 2022. For November, according to data from Dane, its monthly variation was 1%, the national average being 0.77%.
Regarding the annual variation, Cúcuta registers a CPI of 15.71%. This is 3.18 percentage points above the national average. This city is followed by Rioacha, Valledupar and Santa Marta.
What explains the high inflation in Cúcuta
Inflation in Colombia
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The Dane reports show that what has contributed the most to this inflation data has been the price of potatoes, bananas, fuel for vehiclesmeals prepared outside the home, and meals at table-service and self-service establishments.
(See: Rising food costs due to weather complications).
Among what does not record large contributions is the price of electricity, fresh fruits, tomato, cassava and tourist packages.
One of the causes is border dynamics, according to Sergio Castillo, executive president of the Cúcuta Chamber of Commerce. “It is what is known as the ‘trail code’, which is an action that leads to our products being moved to the neighboring country but not by the normal commercial route, but by what are called trails“, Explain.
This has led to the shortage of certain products in Colombia They are going to Venezuela. With the opening of the border, on September 26, this effect has been felt more forcefully, according to the expert.
The other thing that would be driving inflation would be the dynamics at the international level. Like the devaluation of the Colombian peso, the rise in the price of the dollar, “It leads to agricultural products such as bananas becoming more and more expensiveyeah,” he says.
Along with this, Castillo points out that a problem in Cúcuta is the road connection.
The strongest effects, for their part, are in the food of the family basket. Especially those of agricultural production. Castillo explains that there has even been a shortage.
(See: Potato and onion prices will rise, according to Corabastos).
It is, then, relevant to note that one of the most influential data on inflation in the border city is fuel, while Cúcuta has the cheapest gasoline in the country.
According to the Ministry of Mines and Energy for November the price per gallon was 7,976 pesos and December 8,176 pesos. While the national average was 9,579 pesos and 9,778 pesos, respectively.
The cities with the most informality were Sincelejo (66.2%) and Cúcuta (65.8%).
Castillo attributes this low price to the border area that is shared with Venezuela and the contributions made from the Fuel Price Stabilization Fund that operates in the country.
MARIANA GUERRERO ALVAREZ
