Inflation impacts Christmas tamale prices, with key ingredient 15% more expensive than last year

CNN precocious reported that a lb of masa, connected average, costs astir $1.99. That's up astir 30 cents from this clip past year.

DOWNEY, Calif. (KABC) -- Families gathering unneurotic to marque tamales is simply a Christmas tradition. But with prices rising crossed the board, it's becoming adjacent much costly to support that contented going.

"Every vacation is different, but this is the worst 1 I've ever been through," said Daniel Arjon, a edifice proprietor successful Northern California. "It is selling a batch less, a batch little this year."

"The system of this authorities has conscionable gone downhill, and it inactive is, and the information that the Hispanic assemblage has been suffering from that nonstop is precise atrocious to see," said Itzel Mendoza.

One of the cardinal ingredients to marque a tamale is masa, which is maize dough.

CNN precocious reported that a lb of masa, connected average, costs astir $1.99. That's up astir 30 cents from this clip past year. Plus, rising concern costs crossed the committee aren't making it immoderate easier.

"Everything is going up," said Rolando Pozos, the president of Amapola Market. "From the spot taxes, to the water, to the trash. So it is unthinkable however things that are wholly retired of our power is what makes it much hard to tally a concern similar ours."

But Pozos said Amapola Market is warring to proceed what's go somewhat a contented of its own: keeping the outgo of tamales steady.

He said they've kept tamale prices the aforesaid for 3 years successful a row.

"Overall, yes, the bottommost enactment is affected, but we effort to manage, adjacent brainsick things astir logistics and the proviso chain," Pozos said.

Customers who were lined up to bargain ingredients for tamales astatine Amapola Market's Downey store expressed relief.

"I deliberation that's amazing. Honestly, it's truly considerate," said Lenette Sanchez. "Especially successful this economy, it's bringing smiles location and bringing the household closer."