Consumer Protection Agency Says Chicken Supply Will Be Sufficient and Prices Stable for Christmas
Planning your Christmas dinner? The head of Pro Consumidor says chicken will be available and its price has remained stable.
Key points
- A pound of chicken has sold for between RD$79 and RD$84 over the past ten months.
- The country has about 24.5 million chickens ready for market in December.
- According to Eddy Alcántara, there have been no mass chicken imports this year.
Eddy Alcántara, executive director of Pro Consumidor, said the country has enough production to meet the demand for chicken during the Christmas holidays. According to him, the price of the product has remained stable in stores across the country.
Alcántara said that over the past ten months, a pound of chicken has sold for between RD$79 and RD$84 in markets and supermarkets in every province. For the official, such a small variation indicates that the cost of one of the most widely consumed foods in Dominican households has been kept under control.
The director attributes this stability to production levels in the national poultry sector. This December, the country has about 24.5 million chickens ready for market. Authorities also apply support mechanisms for producers, such as the pignoración of chicken meat, which facilitates sales and reduces the risk of losses when supply exceeds demand.
Alcántara also clarified that there have been no mass chicken imports this year, because the Ministry of Agriculture reduced the number of permits to import this product. With that, he ruled out supply problems during the end-of-year season, when demand for meats such as chicken and pork typically rises.
The head of Pro Consumidor also noted that several basic-basket products have dropped in price over the last two months, despite international economic pressures. For him, product availability and competition among merchants remain key factors in helping consumers pay less.
Why it matters
If you're buying chicken for your Christmas dinner, authorities say there will be enough production and that prices will stay within a narrow range. That should help you plan your holiday spending.