‘Basket of necessities,’
prices to be reviewed
PHILIPSBURG--The “basket of necessities” that represents the collection of basic food items whose prices are controlled by the Island Government will be reviewed soon by Economic Affairs Commissioner Maria Buncamper-Molanus with input from food importers, supermarkets and bakeries.
The commissioner told The Daily Herald that while nothing could be done about the rising fuel price, the main factor fuelling other price increases, government was keen to review how to combat the changing economic times.
Carl and Son’s, the island’s largest bakery, announced Tuesday that to offset the high cost of flour and other ingredients, there would be a significant increase in the price of bread, particularly that of speciality breads, as of Monday.
Buncamper-Molanus said the move to review the “basket” that includes baby food, rice, flour, sugar, cooking oil and butter had already been in the works before the plight of the bakery was made public by owner Carl Housen.
The meeting with stakeholders will review the basket of items with an eye on adding more food items and/or regulating the existing prices to reflect the cost to suppliers, as well as on what is suitable for consumers.
The Department of Economic Affairs is organising the meeting.
