Guayaquil food vendors raise encebollado prices due to tuna scarcity

Food vendors in Guayaquil are considering raising the price of encebollado, a traditional Ecuadorian dish, due to the rising cost and scarcity of albacora (albacore tuna).

In southern Guayaquil, some establishments have already increased the price from USD 2.00 to USD 2.25. Business owners warn that if the cost of raw materials continues to climb, prices could reach between USD 2.50 and USD 2.75. To mitigate losses, some vendors have also reduced the portion size of fish served in each dish.

Wholesale prices for albacora at La Caraguay have risen from approximately USD 1.45 per pound three months ago to USD 1.65 per pound currently. One vendor reported reducing his daily fish purchase from 10 quintals to eight to manage expenses. Business owners expressed concern that further price hikes may lead to decreased consumer demand.