Venezuela's growing inflation is also taking a toll on the vegetable market, with prices increasing on a weekly basis. Over the past two months, the price of a kilo of tomatoes has gone from 20 Bolivars to 45 Bolivars, which represents a 125% increase, and onions, which used to be sold by 20 Bolivars, have now reached 56 Bolivars; a 180% increase.
Retailers in Caracas are complaining about the fact that suppliers and brokers keep increasing their prices every week.
"We are under pressure from the Government to lower our prices; however, I ask: who controls the large wholesalers in Coche?," a retailer in Guaicaipuro's market pointed out.
He affirmed that to obtain a better price they have to compete in Coche's wholesaler market with restaurants, large chains and other traders who purchase larger volumes, and who obtain better prices because they are regular customers.
When it comes to fruit, the costliest ones produced nationally are pineapples, which stood at 20 Bolivars in August and increased to 50 Bolivars in October. This was the same for guavas. As for apples, pears and other imported fruits, local traders stated that suppliers are suffering stock shortages as a result of foreign exchange constraints, and they eventually turn out to be two or three times more expensive than the previous year. Large apples in Quinta Crespo and Guaicaipuro cost between 30 and 35 Bolivars, while pears reach up to 40 Bolivars.
Source: venezuelaaldia.com