Likewise, the head of CDC, Danilo Perez, detailed that in a survey conducted by the institution, the prices of washed or brown potatoes have increased by 33%. In may 2022 they cost US$0.55 per pound, now they are found at US$0.75.

The strong products of the basic food basket such as: the kitchen tomato cost US$0.08 per unit and now US$0.12, a 50% increase. The banano last year has an increase of US$0.09 per unit and is now at a value of US$0.16 each, 77.78% increase.

He said that the quintal of corn on may 14, 2021, cost US$17.20, on february 26, 2023, it is costing US$30.41, an increase of 76.8%, the quintal of red kidney beans in the same period cost SU$56.40 in february this year was at a value of US$101.81, an 80.59% increase.

Between 76% and 85% of the minimum wage of the population, both urban and rural, is currently used to cover the basic food basket and the payment of public services.

He emphasized that the problem of the increase in food prices of the basic food basket in El Salvador, is not the shortage, but the fact that the country is dependent on the importation of food products.

In january 2021 the 22 products of the basic urban food basket cost US$199.21 and in january of last year the price was US$200.43, in january 2023 shows that it closed with US$245, that is US$31 of increase.

Likewise, the president of the Centro para la Defensa del Consumidor added that in order to reduce the impact of the prices of the basic food basket, it is necessary to bet on agriculture and increase local production.

Translated by: A.M