Proposed increase for the price of sugar will impact the livelihood of consumers - Shandil

The Consumer Council of Fiji says the proposed increase in the price of sugar is significant and will impact the livelihood of consumers.

CEO, Seema Shandil says the Council understands and recognizes the justification stated by the Fiji Sugar Corporation while proposing the increase in price of sugar.

However, Shandil says the Council has made a submission to Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission clearly outlaying the implications the proposed increase in price will have on the local economy and on consumers.

She says increased consumer spending on food items will also translate to poor households not being able to meet other important non-food expenses, such as education and health care.

Shandil adds the Council, in its submission has also deliberated that many Fijians have lost their jobs or are working on reduced hours due to the current pandemic and that the current economic environment should be carefully considered before indulging in the proposal to increase the price of sugar.

The CEO says they have also noted an increase in the prices of other essential household items due to external factors such as international prices and increased shipping costs hence, maximum effort should be exerted to ensure prices of other goods such as sugar does not increase.

The FSC has proposed the price of 1kg of sugar be increased to $2.89 from $1.40, the price of 2kg sugar be increased to $5.78 from $2.81, the price of 4kg sugar be increased to $11.56 from $5.61 and and the price of 25kg sugar be increased to $72.73 from $34.17.