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The Vice Minister Ad-Honorem of the Ministerio de Agricultura y Ganadería (MAG), Oscar Domínguez, announced that potato producers, traders, and importers have agreed to establish a reference price of between US$45 and US$50 per quintal as the maximum limit for the sale of the product in the national market. This measure aims to prevent excessive price increases that would harm consumers.
The decision comes after authorities detected that potatoes of foreign origin were being sold at prices considered disproportionate in various parts of the country. Given this situation, the official assured that practices that harm the population through excessive charges will not be permitted.
Domínguez explained that, while weather conditions have caused a slight increase in potato prices in recent weeks, market behavior does not justify exaggerated price hikes. Therefore, the Ministerio de Agricultura y Ganadería (MAG), convened representatives from the marketing chain to reach an agreement that would allow for reasonable prices while supply stabilizes.
As a result of these meetings, it was determined that a quintal of potatoes will have a reference price ranging between US$45 and US$50, depending on factors such as the quality and origin of the product. According to authorities, this price will serve as a temporary benchmark to prevent speculation and ensure more balanced conditions for buyers and sellers.
The deputy minister emphasized that El Salvador has domestic potato production, with known costs and guaranteed quality, and therefore believes that conditions exist to maintain affordable prices for the population.
He also noted that this measure will be temporary, as a significant harvest is expected to enter the market in approximately 15 days, which will contribute to increasing the available supply and easing price pressures.
As part of the actions to protect consumers, the MAG also announced that starting next monday, it will set up potato sales points in areas where price gouging has been identified. The goal is to facilitate access to the product at fair prices and prevent Salvadorans from paying higher prices than agreed upon.
Authorities reiterated that they will continue monitoring market behavior and warned that they will not tolerate practices that generate unjustified price increases for this basic food item, especially given the expected increase in domestic harvests in the coming weeks.
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