Belizeans compare prices as potatoes and onions rise in Mexico too

By Breaking Belize News Staff (HP): Belizeans love a Chetumal run, especially when the belief is that everything across the border is cheaper. But when it comes to potatoes and onions right now, the numbers tell a different story.

The debate over vegetable prices in Belize has intensified on social media, with some users arguing that basic produce is significantly cheaper in Mexico.

However, recent prices observed at Chedraui in Chetumal suggest the difference may not be as dramatic as some online posts make it seem.

According to prices recorded on October 2, potatoes were selling for 54 Mexican pesos per kilogram, while white onions were priced at 64 pesos per kilogram.

Using the exchange rate cited in the comparison, that works out to approximately BZ$3.20 per pound for potatoes and BZ$3.50 per pound for onions.

For comparison, potatoes in Belize were reported to be selling for around BZ$3.50 per pound, while onions were around BZ$4.00 per pound.

That means the savings on these two staples may amount to only a few cents per pound, before Belizean shoppers even factor in fuel, transportation and the time required to travel across the border.

The figures also show that high vegetable prices are not only a Belize problem.

Consumers in neighboring Mexico are also paying more for basic food items as inflation and supply pressures continue to affect household budgets.

The Belize Marketing and Development Corporation has defended its pricing, saying it operates with as low a profit margin as possible while avoiding losses and continuing to invest in local operations and the Belizean economy.

The comparison does not mean every grocery item costs the same in Belize and Mexico. Prices can vary significantly depending on the store, location, season and product.

But for potatoes and onions, at least, the latest Chetumal prices challenge the popular social media claim that crossing the border automatically means dramatically cheaper vegetables.

For Belizean families already watching every dollar at the supermarket, the real story may be simpler: food is expensive on both sides of the border.

The post Belizeans compare prices as potatoes and onions rise in Mexico too appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.