Food Prices rise in Grenada amid shortage of raw materials

Grenada has recorded a notable surge in the prices of food products due to the shortage of certain raw materials, following the passage of Hurricane Beryl 2024. This unreasonable increase has become an itchy cause of concern for the residents of the country, burdening their households with add-on unnecessary expenses.

While shedding light on the increase in the prices of food items, the Ministry of Agriculture and Lands, Forestry, and Marine Resources stated that the Hurricane Beryl has caused significant damages to the island’s primary agricultural regions, including Saint Andrew, Saint Patrick, and Saint Mark.

The Ministry noted that there have been notable shortages of crops such as green bananas and other products branching from the banana family, as well as common vegetables. In case, these items are available in any of the markets, they are sold in excessively high prices, which has been leading to numerous complaints and inconvenience at the consumers’ part.

Permanent secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, Isaac Bhagwan has also urged farmers to refrain from such practices. He noted that the things that would normally cost around $3 or $4 are being sold in the extremely high prices in the supermarkets.

“We do have a shortage, but at the same time, we do not want people to take, advantage of each other and to be reasonable,” noted Isaac Bhagwan. He also stressed on the major issue of petty larceny and encouraged every citizen to desist from that practice as it is majorly affecting the citizens of Grenada.

Meanwhile, the Acting Chief Extension Officer of Ministry of Agriculture, Lawrence St Louis reported that the island is experiencing a recovery in its vegetable production. She noted that it takes a lot less time for a cabbage than for a nutmeg tree or for a banana tree to grow.

She noted that they are making efforts to bring things back to normal. She further added that the markets have recently seen shortages of products related to the banana family. Therefore, the authorities requested to import such commodities from other regions, but because of the Hurricane, the neighbouring islands also do suffer similar atrocities.

Therefore, she encouraged all the people to increase their consumption of locally grown vegetables rather than relying on imported processed foods.