The Minister of Agriculture, Angel Estevez, stated that the government was going to buy plantain directly from producers and sell them in markets to counteract speculation in prices.
Speaking to the media, Estevez said that there are "producers that, despite the drought, will start the harvest right now and will have a wide productivity; they shall be reined in."
He also said he was convinced that the country had enough plantain, cassava, bananas and potatoes to cover the domestic demand.
Plantain and banana producers recently noted that there was enough production to meet domestic demand, despite the drought and the passage of Tropical Storm Erika.
In this regard, they stressed that the current price of plantain at the farm level had remained stable, which is, according to them, a sign that there is no shortage.
In turn, the National Federation of Merchants and Entrepreneurs of the Dominican Republic (Fenacerd) stated today that it considered it was appropriate for the Government to import around 30 million plantains to counter speculation.
"The Government of the Dominican Republic, through the ministry, must authorize the importation of the products that have had price increases and sell them directly, without an auction, to prevent these products from becoming more expensive," said Ricardo Rosario, president of the Fenacerd.
Source: 7dias.com.do