Basic groceries now a burden as prices skyrocket in Guyana

Food prices in Guyana have soared by more than 75% on average since 2021, based on market data from the New Guyana Marketing Corporation. The figures, drawn from Bourda and Stabroek markets in Georgetown, highlight steady increases across vegetables, fruits, ground provisions, and meat.

Key vegetable prices have more than doubled. Cabbage rose from $170 GYD ($0.81 USD) to $360 GYD ($1.71 USD) per pound. Pak-choi jumped from $47 GYD ($0.22 USD) to $100 GYD ($0.48 USD) per hand. Cucumbers increased from $29 GYD ($0.14 USD) to $80 GYD ($0.38 USD) each, and corilla climbed from $130 GYD ($0.62 USD) to $300 GYD ($1.43 USD) per pound.

Other vegetables followed the trend: boulanger (eggplant) rose 20%, okra by 65%, pumpkin by 65.5%, and tomatoes by 73%.

Seasoning peppers saw steep hikes as well. Wiri-wiri pepper went from $190 GYD ($0.90 USD) to $400 GYD ($1.90 USD) per pound, while hot pepper increased from $280 GYD ($1.33 USD) to $400 GYD ($1.90 USD).

Fruit prices also spiked. Cayenne banana doubled from $200 GYD ($0.95 USD) to $400 GYD ($1.90 USD) per pound. Apple banana jumped from $110 GYD ($0.52 USD) to $260 GYD ($1.24 USD). Watermelon prices rose by 93%, and pineapples climbed from $330 GYD ($1.57 USD) to $600 GYD ($2.86 USD) each. Oranges remained stable at $100 GYD ($0.48 USD).

Ground provision staples used in dishes like soup and metagee also saw sharp increases. Eddo rose from $90 GYD ($0.43 USD) to $200 GYD ($0.95 USD) per pound. Sweet potatoes doubled from $100 GYD ($0.48 USD) to $200 GYD ($0.95 USD), cassava increased by 77%, and plantains rose from $110 GYD ($0.52 USD) to $180 GYD ($0.86 USD) per pound.

Despite some government interventions, such as providing fertiliser to farmers, the benefits have not translated into lower consumer prices. Citizens continue to call for tighter monitoring and more effective solutions to tackle the escalating cost of living.

source: newssourcegy.com

photo: inewsguyana.com