In a significant effort to make fresh produce more affordable for Salvadorans, the government has been promoting Agromarkets, which offer fruits and vegetables at lower prices by cutting out intermediaries in the supply chain. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to enhance food accessibility across the country.
Ricardo Salazar, the president of the Consumer Ombudsman, emphasized that the prices of fruits and vegetables in El Salvador are now “well below the price levels in Central America.” He noted that the Agromarkets have had a notably positive impact on food pricing by facilitating direct sales from growers to consumers.
“This strategy allows us to connect consumers directly with the regions where fruits and vegetables are grown, bringing them to our supply centers,” Salazar stated. Currently, there are 50 Agromarket locations operating across the country.
To ensure fair pricing, the Consumer Ombudsman’s office has conducted over 45,000 verifications nationwide throughout the food supply chain. This oversight aims to protect the financial interests of Salvadorans by monitoring prices and addressing any unjustified increases in essential products.
Salazar explained that if any unjustified price hikes are detected, a sanctioning process is initiated. “The Consumer Protection Law defines unjustified increases in prices of food and other essential products as an abusive practice, and that’s where we focus our enforcement efforts,” he added.
With the implementation of Agromarkets and stringent monitoring, the Salvadoran government aims to provide a sustainable solution to food pricing, ensuring that citizens can access fresh produce without financial strain.