Rising electricity costs have left supermarkets in Puerto Rico uncertain, with operating expenses doubling in recent months, according to Félix Aponte, president of the Puerto Rico Manufacturers Association (MIDA). Aponte called the situation an emergency that requires urgent attention, and MIDA asked the governor to address it with a sense of urgency. The industry warns that, without action, the impact could pass directly to consumers through higher food prices.
Aponte said about 40% of a supermarket’s operation is tied to refrigeration equipment, which consumes a great deal of energy. "An average supermarket is a store of 50,000 to 55,000 square feet. They are paying up to $60,000 and $65,000 for energy, when they used to pay $30,000 or $35,000 and we managed the operation," he told Telenoticias.
MIDA has proposed eliminating the so-called "crudita" and using the emergency fund to ease the financial burden on the sector. Aponte said the group has not yet been able to meet with the governor and has received no response from the government on its proposals, though it remains hopeful that a dialogue will take place.
He warned that large, medium and small supermarkets alike are struggling to sustain operations under current conditions, and uncertainty grows over how long they can withstand these costs.