The former president of the National Federation of Merchants of the Dominican Republic (Fenacerd), Ricardo Rosario, notified that the industrialized products are rising from prices systematically from October 2020 to date.
“In some cases there are products that have risen up to 30 percent,” he reported.
He said that among the products of the industrial area that have risen are: detergents, toothpastes, chlorine (almost all hygiene products), tomato pastes, pigeon peas, seasonings, plastic items, sausages, chops, ribs and other meat products.
“Edible fats, such as oils, have not risen in recent months because they had already experienced increases”Former president of Fenacerd
In the prices published by Pro Consumidor, it is observed that a 900-gram canned tomato paste was priced at RD$125.26 in October 2021, and on February 3, 2022 it cost RD$141.44, for an increase of 12.92%. Also, the 28.35-gram sachet of coffee cost an average of RD$191.30 in October 2021 and as of February 3, 2022 it was sold at an average price of RD$240.68, for an increase of 25.81%.
Rosario said that the organized sectors are in the best position to support the government in favor of consumers.
“We are proposing the creation of a mechanism so that local and imported products can reach grocery stores with less intermediation. It could be using the Inespre platform (Institute for the Stabilization of Prices) and using other platforms that have different organizations, to ensure that the products arrive cheaper. In that we are going to continue persevering and the government can sit down at a dialogue table in a sincere way with the organized trade sector”, he expressed.
The former president of Fenacerd He said that there is currently a difficult international situation, but that at the local level there are enough agricultural products to supply consumers.
“We all have to be very aware of what we are playing. We are not playing politics here, we are in a very difficult international situation, and the role of retailers is to ensure that consumers have access to merchandise at the best prices of the market”, said Rosario. He added that there are more than 70,000 grocery stores in the country.
He reiterated that it is not the same inflation and speculation, to defend that it is not true that grocery stores sell more expensively than other establishments.
“There are products that are more expensive because there are fewer offers in the market, not because the store wants to speculate,” he said.
Given the rise recorded by the prices of the products of the basic basket, the general director of the National Council for the Promotion and Support of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (Promipyme), Porfirio Peralta, said that it must be recognized that it is a global problem, not of the Dominican Republic.
“I have to admit that the price of fuel overwhelms us all, but the government is making great efforts. Last week, more than 600 million pesos were invested to avoid the rise in fuel prices,” Peralta said.
He added: “The country is receiving many benefits, especially low-income people. What happens is that the country complains about everything; it is difficult to be able to please everyone. We are doing the best we can.”
Both Rosario and Peralta spoke at the activity developed by the Fenacerd in the framework of the celebration of its 18th anniversary.
