Agriculture Minister Limber Cruz told Listín Diario that he did not know the reason for the comments from the retail industry that rice would reach the population for RD $ 40 a pound if the government does not subsidize the agricultural sector.
In responding to concerns from these media about what representatives from the Dominican Federation of Provisions Retailers (Fedepro) and the Business Front of Retail Merchants (Fremco) had said on Wednesday, Cruz rejected the increases, saying the population was not “it can keep scaring him”.
Talk to the population about RD $ 40. Where are they getting that from? There is a lot of rice here and it is a stable sector. Today we just left a meeting where everything was clear, with inventory, and it is said that it will be the best crop of the last 10 years, ” the official added after a meeting in Bonao with key representatives of the entities that group the producers. and grain factories.
During this meeting, Cruz assured rice prices will remain unchanged as the country is able to supply local markets and keep the sector stable.
The minister added that despite the increases experienced by international inputs used in food processing and production, people can be calm as the government is already planning the rice planting season for this year.
However, this Wednesday, while holding a press conference, the retail headlines warned of the increases rice would have in the supermarkets, although these observations to the government were already fulfilled in the supermarkets, because after a rise in the Listín Diario, there are already some of these companies that sell a pound of rice for between RD $ 30 and RD $ 45, depending on the quality of the agricultural product.
Yesterday, the Agriculture Secretary also told this medium that the grain will be sold through an agreement with the producers for RD $ 23.
Listin Diario’s question when he called several supermarkets was, “How’s the rice?” When asked if there was a cheaper one, the comment was “yes, at RD $ 30 and RD $ 35 per pound the cheapest.
A few months ago, a pound of rice sold for between RD $ 20 and RD $ 25, some of the better quality portion was offered for RD $ 30.
Retailers order
Fremco’s president, Agustín Peñaló, suggested that the authorities exempt customs taxes on imports of raw materials such as final products such as rice, green beans, garlic, onion and potato, so that they can reach consumers more cheaply.
KNOWING MORE
Situation
To ensure food safety and competitive prices in the market, the sector has 1,200,000 jobs for crops, which produce 12 million quintals per year, according to the Minister of Agriculture.
Economy
According to Limber Cruz, production involves 30,000 producers, providing more than 800,000 direct and indirect jobs.