The price of oranges has increased by up to four times in recent weeks because of the low production of citrus that comes mostly from the states of Veracruz and Tamaulipas, said Melva Perez Olvera, general secretary of the condominium association of the central market.
The usual price for oranges is 4 pesos per kilogram and they are currently being sold for up to 16 pesos in some supermarkets. Thus, the Federal Consumer is conducting ongoing operations so that the traders don't speculate with the price of this fruit and advised buyers to compare prices.
Orange production decreases during the months of August and September so prices increase. Prices will only return to normal, and might even drop to 2.50 pesos per kilo, in October. The price increase has affected the whole country as the production isn't enough to supply the domestic market.
Traders haven't been affected by the increase in prices for this citric because when a fruit or vegetable's price skyrockets, others prices decrease. This season, the prices for fruits such as orange and pineapple they increased, while apple prices, which usually is 30 pesos, have dropped to 10 pesos.
Consumers of orange said that they had stopped buying the fruit because of the high prices as they needed to adjust to the constant price changes of fruits, vegetables, and basic basket products.
Meanwhile, Dalia Garrido, delegate of PROFECO in the state, said that this rise in the price of orange was mainly due to the law of supply and demand, and that the institution would verify that traders don't speculate with their prices and that the product's price is in sight.
Source: Am Querétraro