Grape Price Fluctuations in Cancún Ahead of New Year

Cancún, Quintana Roo. – The price of grapes in Cancún has shown notable fluctuation, ranging from 50 to 170 pesos per kilogram, according to monitoring by the Federal Consumer Protection Agency (Profeco). These prices vary not only due to demand but also factors such as location and commercial strategies of each establishment.

During the period prior to New Year celebrations, demand for grapes led to stock depletion in some Cancún supermarkets. However, other chains offered the product at considerably lower prices.

The Profeco monitoring identified the lowest national price in Saltillo, Coahuila, where grapes were offered at 36.90 pesos per kilogram. In La Paz, Baja California, the price was 39.90 pesos per kilogram. In Cancún, specifically at a Chedraui store, the kilogram was offered at 49.90 pesos.

In contrast, price clubs like Costco registered a price of 169 pesos for a 1.3-kilogram presentation, although stocks were depleted days before year-end, with expectations of restocking. At Walmart, a 1-kilogram presentation was offered at 75 pesos, below its regular price of 95 pesos.

Nationally, the highest price was found in Mexico City, at the UNAM store in Coyoacán, with a cost of 122.13 pesos per kilogram. Other high prices were recorded in Campeche (120 pesos per kilogram) and in Villahermosa, Tabasco (up to 110 pesos per kilogram).

Profeco highlighted that, in addition to demand, factors such as transportation costs and store commercial policies significantly influence the final product price.

The tradition of consuming 12 grapes on New Year’s, of European origin and adopted in Mexico in the early 20th century, is associated with prosperity and making wishes for the coming year. There are various theories about its origin, one tracing the custom to the Spanish bourgeois class in the 1880s, and another linking it to a strategy by Alicante wine producers in 1909 following an abundant harvest.