“Frightening” Prices During Day of the Dead in Mexico

Day of the Dead celebrations are expected to bring a nationwide economic boost of 45.3 billion pesos, a 10% increase over last year, according to Octavio de la Torre, president of the Confederation of National Chambers of Commerce, Services, and Tourism (Concanaco Servytur).

Approximately 4.8 million businesses and family-owned enterprises in the commerce, services, and tourism sectors are set to benefit from this revenue, especially hotels, app-based lodging, restaurants, food and beverage services, costume shops, candy stores, altar supplies, flowers, and supermarkets.

José de Jesús Rodríguez Cárdenas, president of Mexico City’s Chamber of Commerce, Services, and Tourism (Canaco), revealed that between October 27 and November 2, the capital alone is projected to see an economic impact of 10.98 billion pesos, a 26.7% increase compared to 2023.

Cuauhtémoc Rivera, president of the National Alliance of Small Merchants (Anpec), noted that the cost of setting up an altar this year will rise to as much as 1,800 pesos, a 26% increase from last year’s average of 1,435 pesos.

Visiting cemeteries to clean and decorate graves is another Day of the Dead tradition, with additional expenses for family transportation, ranging between 200 and 300 pesos, plus an extra 400 pesos for grave cleaning services.

Rivera pointed out that Anpec’s study shows that pan de muerto (traditional bread of the dead) has seen a 24% price increase compared to last year, with traditional bakeries selling it from 11 to 120 pesos, and stuffed varieties ranging from 18 to 150 pesos.

Cárdenas also noted that scary costumes worn for Halloween are averaging between 400 and 500 pesos.

EL HERALDO DE MÉXICO