Agriculture Secretary Irving Rodríguez Torres defended the increase in the minimum price of 100% Puerto Rican coffee from $18 to $22 per almud, citing 15 years without a revision. Rodríguez Torres explained that the increase is a matter of fairness to farmers and will not significantly affect the final price, as only 33,000 quintals of the 300,000 consumed are affected.
Meanwhile, coffee farmer Pedro Bengochea complained about delays in payroll reimbursements and alleged government indifference towards coffee farming. Rodríguez Torres noted that the Department of Agriculture waited a year before adjusting the price and that an old tariff results in the Department paying $200 less per quintal, making it necessary to import coffee. He denied that the government benefits from the coffee purchase program, stating that the funds are not used to pay salaries or departmental responsibilities.