Costa Maya, Q.R. — The price for a piece of wood has increased by at least 30 percent in three days. But that depends where you go. In other areas, a piece of wood has increased by as much as 500 percent.
Residents in the state’s south have requested the intervention of Profeco (Federal Consumer Protection Agency) due to the unfair price hikes for necessities before the arrival of Beryl.
On Tuesday, prices for boards ranged from 160 to 230 pesos depending on the thickness and length. A piece of plywood ranged from 470 pesos for 6 millimeters thickness, 690 pesos for 12 millimeters and between 750 and 900 pesos for 18 millimeters.
Those prices have since increased even more as the storm nears and the demand continues. The 18 mm sheets of plywood are now selling for as much as 1,500 pesos. If you’re lucky.
Chetumal resident Luis Hugo Uicab Caamal said he bought two sheets of plywood at the start of the hurricane announcements for 250 pesos each. When his family returned the next day for more, those same sheets were 1,500 pesos.
“Yesterday we bought two sheets of plywood for 250 pesos each, but today when we came back for more they were selling it to us for 1,500 pesos. The slightly thicker boards, which a couple of days ago cost 500 pesos, are now being sold for almost 3,000 pesos each,” he said.
Uicab Caamal said he has stood in line and heard people try to negotiate pieces and prices, but in the end most give in and pay the inflated costs. He said it is likely many people will be in debt because of it, using credit cards to pay for the wood they need.
“They tell us that it is the law of supply and demand. Unfortunately, there is no Profeco staff available to defend us,” he said.
Residents have filed complaints saying government officials with Profeco (Procuraduría Federal del Consumidor) are not carrying out inspections to monitor prices.
“They are leaving us to our own devices. Unfortunately, there are people who can afford to pay this abuse and we are trying to talk to them so that they don’t do it and so that prices don’t go up,” said Chetumal resident Juanita González.
While the demand for other consumer products such as gas and food has also skyrocketed, it has been lumber shops with the most price hiked complaints.
Luis Villegas Jiménez, another homeowner in need of wood, agreed to pay 2,500 pesos for three sheets of plywood. He acknowledged that he accepted the inflated prices rather than be left without home protection.
“I have to look after my home and my family. We are facing a natural phenomenon that could cause catastrophe damage and the rule is clear: save yourself if you can and let everyone else look after themselves,” he said.
Amir Padilla Espadas, President of the National Chamber of Commerce, Services and Tourism (Canaco) of Chetumal, condemned the ongoing price gouging. He called it “sad” that some businesses are taking advantage of the hurricane, especially since most people are worn out from nearly a month of flooding.
Padilla Espadas has also requested intervention from Profeco to apply the law and continue with monitoring since Canaco (Cámara Nacional de Comercio, Servicios y Turismo) are not able to apply fines.
“If Profeco requires us to be there as witnesses, we will be there to ensure visits are made within the framework of the law,” he said.
He said Canaco will always promote fair trade, so if there are business looking to increase their profits by taking advantage of the contingency, the necessary measures will be taken.
He says as a Chamber they are inviting merchants to be empathetic with the population, “we are doing awareness-raising work,” he said.
