Certain scarce food items etching high prices
by Wendella Davidson
SHOPKEEPERS and owners of supermarkets have been finding it extremely difficult in recent weeks to procure some basic food items. And, whenever this is possible, more often than not, the items are obtained at higher than usual prices. The acute shortage is as a result of the ongoing strike by public servants for increased salaries. This action has resulted in such important Government offices as the Customs and Excise Department to be shut down. Among the items which are becoming increasingly scarce are potatoes, peas, beans, milk, salt and margarine. A check at leading supermarkets such as William Fogarty's, Guyana Stores Limited, Kwality Supercentre, Nigel's, C&F and NP's as well as the Stabroek and Bourda Municipal Markets, revealed that while some business have low stocks others had already exhausted theirs. The claim is that some supplies are still on the wharves waiting to be cleared, while in other cases the vessels which bring supplies, arrived at Port Georgetown, but could not have been off-loaded, hence they had to leave. At the municipal markets, potatoes are sold at between $70 and $100 per pound, while peas and salt are also high-priced items. Some known vendors claim they are forced to sell at high prices because of the costs at which the items are sourced. At supermarkets such as Guyana Stores and Fogarty's in Water Street, and Nigel's on Robb Street, the shelves are all loaded with commodities, but officials are worried that they may not be able to procure the basic items in another week or so, if the present situation continues. At Kwality Supercentre at Regent Street and Camp Streets; MFK Trading, Hadfield Street; C&F and NP's; the tales are not so good. A supervisor of Kwality reported that there is a shortage of all the basic food items, and those bought at this period cost between 20 and 30 per cent more. The situation is becoming so critical that even manufacturers of local products are increasing their prices, the supervisor said. C&F Meat Centre, which is offering potatoes at $100 per pound, is out of loose powdered milk which is usually retailed by the pound. An official said the supermarket has been unable to procure this item. It is feared within another week or so, the shelves will all be empty. A similar situation is experienced at MFK, where Managing Director, Mohamed Khan claims he may have to close his doors shortly, if the situation does not resolve itself in another two weeks. Khan said that because of the current problem, he has been offering 17 basic commodities to customers at the wholesale prices. "But how long can I continue to do this?" he asked, adding that some of the regular outlets from which he purchases goods are out of stock with some items. "We are forced to buy items on the blackmarket just to meet the customers, but it is difficult to have to pass the increased costs down to the consumers, knowing the situation," he further lamented. Khan said his business is currently out of potatoes, butter and loose milk. However, he has started selling eddoes as a substitute for potatoes. Meanwhile, Khan is appealing to consumers to be wary of purchasing items without the expiry dates. According to him, some unscrupulous businessmen are using the present disastrous situation to pass off expired goods on consumers.
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