Consumer advocate wants more reasonable food prices in 2024

The Barbados Consumer Empowerment Network (BCEN) has called for fairer food pricing to be a resolution for both government and the private sector in 2024. Maureen Holder, the executive director of BCEN, made this declaration on Tuesday in a press release addressing concerns surrounding food pricing.

Holder cited a brief from Consumers International (CI), an international organization that represents consumers globally. The brief highlights the challenges faced by consumers in Barbados when it comes to accessing affordable and nutritious food. It also notes that the high cost of food can have negative impacts on health, education, and economic development.

According to the brief, the average household in Barbados spends around 10% of its income on food, which is higher than the recommended limit of 7%. This is due to a number of factors, including high levels of inflation, limited competition in the food market, and a lack of transparency in pricing.

The BCEN has called on both government and the private sector to take action to address these issues. They have urged the government to implement policies that promote fairer pricing, such as regulating the prices of essential goods and services, increasing subsidies for low-income households, and promoting competition in the food market.

They have also called on the private sector to be more transparent in their pricing practices, to reduce the use of misleading advertising, and to invest in sustainable and efficient production methods that can lower costs and increase accessibility.

Overall, the BCEN's call for fairer food pricing is a response to growing concerns among consumers in Barbados about the high cost of food and its impact on their lives. By working together, government and the private sector can create a more equitable and sustainable food system that benefits everyone.