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The Ministerio de Agricultura y Ganadería (MAG) has begun discussions with the private sector and major national producers to reach agreements that will help guarantee fair prices for Salvadoran families. As part of these measures, the government announced the first general reference prices for products sold at the Soyapango and Usulután wholesale markets.
The MAG’s Vice Minister explained that the agreements will be announced by product category in the coming days. The strategy aims to gradually implement price references for different products, considering the factors that influence their costs and striving to create better conditions for consumers.
For this first stage, reference prices were established for wholesale sales, with different prices between the Soyapango and Usulután wholesale markets. The list includes products such as tomatoes, onions, chili peppers, potatoes, fruits, vegetables, and other staple foods.
At the Soyapango Wholesale Market, for example, large tomatoes have a reference price of US$24 per box, medium tomatoes US$22, and small tomatoes US$20. In Usulután, the same products have reference prices of US$26, US$24, and US$23, respectively.
Among other products, the domestic Bellini potato has a reference price of US$37 per quintal in Soyapango and US$38 in Usulután. The domestic Russet potato (CalWhite) also has a reference price of US$37 and US$38, respectively, while the US Russet potato has a reference price of US$45 in Soyapango and US$46 in Usulután.
The list also includes products such as white onions, red onions, and green chili peppers. For example, large, stalkless white onions have a reference price of US$18 per large sack in Soyapango and US$19 in Usulután, while large green chili peppers are priced at US$20 and US$21, respectively.
The second list includes fruits and vegetables. Tommy mangoes have a reference price of US$13 per bag of 50 units in Soyapango and US$14 in Usulután; small papayas are priced at US$7 per crate of 15 units and US$8, respectively. Shelled tamarind has one of the highest prices on this list, at US$80 per quintal in Soyapango and US$81 in Usulután.
In addition, the MAG presented a specific table of reference prices for staple grains, differentiated according to product quality. White rice has reference prices of US$36 per quintal for standard quality, US$37 for medium quality, and between US$38 and US$41 for premium quality. Pre-cooked rice, in premium quality, ranges between US$41 and US$45 per quintal.
For red beans, the reference price is US$79 per quintal for basic quality, US$82 for medium quality, and US$86 for premium quality. Meanwhile, white corn is priced at US$23 per quintal for basic quality and US$23.75 for medium quality. These prices are part of the first stage of agreements for this sector.
The MAG indicated that these prices are reference values for wholesalers and are part of the agreements being developed with producers and distribution companies. The institution stated that it will continue to work in other sectors and will announce subsequent agreements and reference prices as they are reached. With the first price lists for the Soyapango and Usulután wholesale markets, the Government seeks to promote better marketing conditions and contribute to more favorable prices for salvadoran families.
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