St Lucians feeling the pinch of Rising Consumer Prices

photo coutesy google images

This is a post that I wrote in October 2010 and just discovered in my "drafts" folder. Written 2 years ago it clearly indicated a trend that has continued to this day: Rising consumer prices are having a serious impact on ordinary St Lucians.

I got a rude awakening this morning and it came while shopping at the market; the price of consumer goods in St Lucia is increasing.... fast and that's having a devastating impact on the nation's working class.

I drove a friend to the Castries market to buy some green bananas (figs). I ended up completely amazed to find out that just one hand of small bananas, (looking like they were missing several more weeks on the tree) cost $3.00.

I couldn't help, but ask the rather courteous vendor, the reason behind the high cost of the figs.

But before she could have offered an answer, a female shopper, herself outraged by the high prices, jumped into the conversation. "It's they (the vendors) that want it so, that's why it's so," she shouted; ready to start a quarrel with the friendly vendor.

Trying to avoid a confrontation, the vendor turned her attention back to me and explained that Hurricane Dean had caused extensive damage to farms, when he brushed past St Lucia in August, so there was less food to sell.

In other words, the demand for ground provisions now outweighed the amount available, so the prices at the market are on an upward spiral.

But the problem is not confined to the market. Across the country Saint Lucians are complaining about the rising consumer prices. And the problem can been seen wherever you shop. Some argue that it's even worse at the supermarkets, where there's all but a monopoly.

The government has acknowledged the problem, with the Trade and Commerce Minister, Guy Mayers saying that an investigation is currently underway. They are comparing the price of a basket of food in St Lucia to that of other OECS islands.

According to Mr. Mayers, a preliminary report indicates that Saint Lucians enjoy the lowest prices compared to our sister islands. And the Minister warned the nation to brace themselves for the prices to rise even further; given the spiraling cost of oil on the international market.

The Prime Minister Stephenson King is already discussing the issue with his technocrats, as they continue to monitor the price of oil which is edging closer to $100 a barrel.

With the price of consumer goods projected to rise even further, the King administration is left with no other choice but to revisit the controversial labour code with a view to raising the minimum wage for St Lucians, many of who are living from paycheck to paycheck.