The extension of the price control ended up frustrating more than one sector which kept the hope of the removal of such a measure, now producers say they feel "cheated at" and employers "disappointed", since they support the free supply and demand principle.
Augusto Jiménez, President of the Producing Community of Highlands (Acpta), said that "what starts wrong ends bad ", referring to the measure.
The former administrator of the Authority of Consumers and Defense of Competition, Pedro Meilan, said that initially, when he was at Acodeco, he suggested President Juan Carlos Varela to include all products that make up the basic basket of food within the regulation, however, the latter decided to regulate only 22 food items, and that is why the increase was caused in those products that were left out of the measure.
However, he stressed that "the current Government stands at a 'crossroads' and should already know that the measure of price controls is not giving any positive results, but it seems they are going to die along with the measure".
Yesterday, President Varela himself referred to the issue of price control in view of the rejection by all sectors of the country.
He argued that the prices of some products have increased due to the behavior of both the national and international market.
He stressed that some adjustments (increase of prices) in the extension of the price regulation were made because the assessment is part of the measure.
He insisted that regulation is fulfilling its purpose.
Despite the President´s statements, the monthly $58 saving, promised by the Government, is not a reality, according to what consumers assert.
Approved modifications two days ago include price increases in the pound of ground beef, the shank, breast meat, cherry tomatoes and lentils with $0.15 each, while the national yellow onion rose $0.20.
In addition, the profit margins of 10% was adjusted to 15% for dry products and 15% to 20% for those refrigerated ones.
Producer Jimenez, who also opposes the measure, says "one should not play politics over food", whereas that regulation is a purely cheap politicking initiative which has caused damage to the agricultural sector.
He added that "the Decree is going to be violated, since the imported onion has a cost of $0.90 a pound, which is over the $0.80 established in the control of prices."
Currently, consumers buy this product in groceries and supermarkets at a cost ranging between $1.50 and $2.
Another case is that of lentils, whose price has increased by 52%, within the measure, so the new extension and increases thwart consumers, businesspeople and producers.
"Businesspeople aspired for the measure of price controls to be eliminated," said Jorge García Icaza, President of the Chamber of Commerce.
Consumers, meanwhile, lashed out at President Juan Carlos Varela, and noted that "we cannot stand a single increase any more “, disappointed by the results of measure.
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