Food prices soar to record levels

Jul 13, 2025 News

…chicken, beef, vegetables ranked among priciest food items

GMC market prices

Kaieteur News – Consumers who visited the Bourda and Stabroek markets early this month paid significantly more for common food items than they did just three years ago, as prices for meats, vegetables, and seasonings continue to rise.

An analysis of the July 3, 2025 price list from the Guyana Marketing Corporation (GMC) shows widespread increases in both wholesale and retail prices for key commodities.

Among the steepest climbs are seen in the meat category, where local chicken, which retailed for $381.55 per pound in 2020 and $488.33 in 2022, is now selling for up to $560 per pound at Stabroek Market and $520 per pound at Bourda. Beef, priced at $430.37 per pound in 2020, had reached $659.74 in 2022, and now stands at $950 per pound, more than doubling its 2020 cost. Pork has also seen a sustained increase, now retailing at $750 per pound, up from $585.46 in 2022 and $417.17 in 2020.

As it relates to, vegetables and seasonings, these food items are no exception to the trend. Bora which was selling at $348.19 per pounds in 2020, surged to an extraordinary $6,915.31 by 2022. The 2025 price has stabilized somewhat to about $2,100 per bundle.

Other vegetables have continued their upward trend: ochro has climbed from $107.83 per pound in 2020, to $171.93 in 2022, and now to $360 per pound. Cabbage, once sold at $228.99 per pound, now retails at $400–$480, depending on the market. Pumpkin, previously $61.50 per pound, is now consistently priced at $140 per pound and corilla went from $136.20 in 2020, to $251.20 in 2022, and now retails at $360 per pound.

In terms of seasoning, celery now sells for as much as $4,250 per pound at Bourda and $3,500 at Stabroek, while eschallot retails for $1,000 and $950 per pound. Ginger, previously available at more modest prices, has risen to $900 to $1,000 per pound. Similarly, Sweet peppers are among the highest-priced seasoning items, now at $1,500 per pound.

Among ground provisions, sweet potatoes and eddoes have remained fairly stable since 2022, still priced at $200 per pound. Cassava, which had increased to $224.28 per pound in 2022, has now dropped slightly to $160 per pound. Plantains, once retailing for over $206 per pound, have also seen a modest decrease to $160.

As it relates to eggs, which had previously surged due to supply chain issues and demand spikes. Data shows that local white eggs, sold by the unit, are now priced at $60 each, compared to $50 wholesale, placing the retail tray price at roughly $1,800. In 2022, that tray price peaked at $1,350.

The Guyana Marketing Corporation notes that the figures represent average wholesale and retail prices recorded at Bourda, and Stabroek markets, and are not set or regulated by the State.

Moreover, earlier this month Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo acknowledged that food prices have been climbing. However, he assured that the government is working on long-term solutions to ease the burden on citizens.

Firstly, the Vice President pointed to a combination of global factors behind the increase in food costs, including the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the surge in international freight charges.

“So, we’ve been challenged with food prices but a lot of it is because freight went up, there is import shock and we import a lot of the food,” he noted added that sometimes prices fluctuate on the market.

Despite these pressures, Jagdeo said the government has taken proactive steps to cushion the impact, including subsidies and efforts to keep electricity and fuel prices steady. Looking ahead, Jagdeo said local production is central to the administration’s response to external price shocks. The Vice President noted that plans are underway to scale up cultivation of onions and legumes, which are typically imported in large quantities.

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Caption: GMC market prices

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Bharrat Jagdeo, food, GMC market prices, inflation, Market

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