Bread price going up? Government and bakers in discussion
By Shawn Seabrookes
Senior Reporter-SKNVibes.com
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Photos show two of the major baking companies in
St. Kitts
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Basseterre; St. Kitts: Citizens of St. Kitts and Nevis are still awaiting word as to whether the price of bread will increase. The concern stems from international increases in the price of flour.
According to local suppliers, three major factors are adversely affecting the present cost of flour, virtually leading to the increase in the cost of the commodity. Suppliers have indicated that shrinking global supplies and poor harvest yields coupled with increased market demand have.
Word stemming out off the weekly Cabinet meeting of the Labour Government indicate that Government officials met with local bakers and to reach an amicable resolution.
Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Ministry, Hon. Nigel Carty, confirmed that there was a request made by local bakers to have the price of bread increased but the Government was weighing its options to delay such n action.
“It is government’s intention to ensure that the price of bread in particular, is held at its current level, and thus government is attempting to reach a mutually beneficial position with local bakers on the island,” Minister Carty.
The possibility of an increase in the price of bread has raised much concern in the St. Kitts and Nevis community as the twin island state has been widely regarded as a bread loving public.
“Of course the international market dictates the cost of commodities but providers must be considerate in their demands,” one caterer noted.
“The last time there was an increase in the price of bread one would have thought that the size of the bread would have remained the same. However, we realize that bread and pastries became even smaller. That must not be so,” she added.
The caterer was of the view that bread consumers could accept an increase in the price of bread but the bakers must have a conscience and sell fair sized bread and pastry products for the increase they are demanding.
~~Adz:Left~~ Another bread consumer was not so moderate with her criticism of the bakers.
“They are overdoing it now. They asking for an increase in the price of bread and they still want to make the bread smaller. They are just wicked,” the consumer touted.
The Government officials and the bakers will continue to meet to reach a resolution.
