The Chamber of Commerce regretted the increase of 4% in the price of rice to producers, which will is in effect from Wednesday, as its members hink the increase will hit families with lower incomes. Now the sack of this grain will cost ¢ 22 thousand.
We regret that the Government has not taken advantage of the moment that Costa Rica is going through to help families have a more competitive price for the product with the highest consumption. Rice is one of the main foods consumed by Costa Ricans, especially those with lower incomes; seven out of 10 Costa Ricans consume it daily,”
said Alonso Elizondo, president of the Chamber.
He also reiterated that this is the only product of the basic basket that has double protection of law.
The Ministry of Economy, Industry and Commerce regulates the activity through a minimum producer price and establishes price bands for all the links in the marketing chain. In accordance with the decree in force as of September 2016, it also sets a single price for the sale to the consumer of the 80/20 quality. In addition, there is tariff protection of 36%,”
added Elizondo.