The price of rice does not give respite to consumers. Norma Pérez went to do her weekly shopping at the market in downtown Guayaquil this Monday, June 26, and she is uncomfortable that this product “is no longer available for consumption, before she used to pay between $8.50 and $9 for a 25-pound bag, now I have to pay $12.50 And you don’t even want to think about what the outlook will be when El Niño hits?
This basic product from the basket has experienced a significant increase in recent weeks due to the impact of winter on the countryside, to the extent that the Government announced the import of grass to meet demand and stabilize prices, although the producers are against this and presented a protection action stating that there is rice, planted and has yet to be harvested, and that the problem is speculation in the mills.
Less supply of rice and price fluctuations are beginning to be noticed on supermarket shelves
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In stores, the price of half a kilogram of rice ranges between 0.60 and 0.70 dollars, while before it was between 0.35 and 0.40 dollars.
The increase is also reflected in supermarket chains. Julio usually buys 2 kilo bags there, and last month he paid $2.30 for them and then used up the 25 pound bag they gave him at his company, which ran out, and this Sunday when he bought 2 kilos again, he ran into to the new one. price: $3.89 for the same brand he usually buys, so he chose another brand that costs $3.62 “just as expensive, but at least 27 cents less,” he said.
Last week, supermarket hangers showed 5 kg of rice selling for between $6.77 and $8.92, depending on the brand and type of grain. Now these products are sold at prices ranging from $9.47 to $9.60.
Farmers presented a protection action to “no longer import rice”
The rise in prices has led some consumers to take measures to adapt to the situation.
Mafer Flores, a regular customer of the supermarket chain, commented that, given the increase in the price of rice, she is reconsidering her purchasing options. He also mentioned that he might decide to “buy other consumer products in smaller quantities so that he can budget adequately for rice,” which he considers a staple in his home.
Source: Eluniverso
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