President Nayib Bukele of El Salvador has vowed to combat “corporate mafias” and has ordered an investigation into six supermarket chains. This announcement comes amid unprecedented food price hikes in the country.
On Wednesday, Bukele directed the opening of mobile markets to curb the soaring food prices, marking his latest initiative after his successful campaign against criminal gangs. The mobile market program, to be coordinated by the Ministry of Agriculture (MAG), aims to promote direct sales from producers and importers, thereby eliminating middlemen in strategic locations across the country.
“From now on, the MAG’s agromarkets will be open every day,” Bukele posted on the social media platform X, emphasizing the goal of “fair prices.”
“This project brings producers, importers, and entrepreneurs directly to consumers,” Bukele stated, clarifying that “the government is merely a facilitator, saving costs by cutting out intermediaries.”
Under the slogan “Your money goes further at FairPriceMarkets!” the MAG released a price list for products like tomatoes, onions, cabbage, potatoes, lettuce, carrots, broccoli, peppers, and cucumbers, which have seen price increases of over 40% in major stores.
On Monday, authorities began inspections of supermarket chains following Bukele’s orders to combat the unprecedented price hikes attributed to business “mafias.” In a nationwide broadcast last Friday, Bukele urged “importers, wholesalers, distributors, and food retailers” to stop “abuses.”
“I will make a call… similar to the one we made to gang members in 2019,” Bukele warned food supply chain agents, referencing his appeal to gangs to halt violence before launching a full-scale crackdown in March 2022. “Stop abusing the Salvadoran people with these prices or don’t complain later,” he added.
Following Bukele’s address on July 6th, some food prices have started to decrease. The Salvadoran leader condemned abusive practices, such as the unjustified price hikes by certain supply chain agents, demanding they “stop exploiting the Salvadoran people or face the consequences.”