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Ministerio de Agricultura y Ganadería (MAG) highlighted the market prices of agricultural products at the Central de Abastos (CDA) of Usulután where a box of tomatoes weighing over 50 pounds is offered starting at US$26. This is part of a strategy to bring wholesale supplies closer to merchants and consumers in the eastern region.
The MAG’s Vice Minister, Óscar Domínguez, explained that the price difference compared to other markets demonstrates the importance of having a more accessible wholesale supply point. According to the data shared, the same box of tomatoes can be found for as little as US$45 in Zacatecoluca, US$34 in San Vicente, US$40 in San Miguel, and US$42 in Gotera, while at the Usulután CDA it starts at US$26.
According to the official, this difference represents a savings of up to US$19 per box compared to the price in Zacatecoluca. The CDA’s intention is to allow merchants to purchase products directly from wholesalers at more competitive prices, reduce their operating costs, and subsequently pass some of those savings on to consumers.
Domínguez also pointed out price differences in other agricultural products. For example, potatoes are offered at US$37 per quintal at the Usulután CDA, while in San Miguel they reach US$55, a difference of US$18. According to the MAG, these prices aim to demonstrate the impact of bringing supply centers closer to different regions of the country.
The strategy also includes the installation of new wholesale supply points. The official announced that San Miguel will be one of the next areas where such an alternative will be established, with the goal of expanding access to agricultural products at wholesale prices.
The MAG is urging merchants in the eastern region to use the Usulután CDA for their wholesale purchases and take advantage of the available prices. The institution maintains that a more localized supply system can benefit producers, retailers, and consumers by reducing costs and facilitating access to products.
The government also warned that it will monitor for potential price gouging, hoarding, or unjustified price increases. The public can report potential abuses by calling 910, which will also activate the Defensoría del Consumidor and other institutions related to commercial and tax oversight.
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