Spike in sugar prices amid shortage, Minister Hippolyte alerts people

Saint Lucia will receive six brown sugar containers this week as the island is grappling with a sugar shortage. Minister for Commerce, Emma Hippolyte has put the people of the Federation on alert as the prices of sugar could increase.

Last week, the island nation had received ten containers of brown sugar. It is to be noted that Commerce Minister Hippolyte has announced that the country is opting for alternative sugar suppliers but it would impact the prices.

The move is made necessary by Guyana’s inability to meet the required quotas. However, as per Minister Hippolyte’s statement, she had informed Carla Barnett- Secretary General of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) in November about the matter.

Noting this, she received a response from her on February 5. Due to this, the Soufriere MP preferred to seek the deregulation of CARICOM to import sugar from other nations.

Further, to import sugar in Saint Lucia, she noted that negotiating with other suppliers would affect the price of the commodity.

“The key thing that I need to alert persons with, when we get the sugar outside of the contract period, because with our supplier in Guyana, we had a one-year contract, and we would have to negotiate with other suppliers and that is going to have an impact on the price”, said Hippolyte.

It is to be noted that as local manufacturers use white sugar, it becomes difficult for the nation to fill the gaps in the sugar prices.

“I have also met with the manufacturers, and we have agreed to give them permission to place their own orders”, added Minister Hippolyte.

Many people took to their social media handles (Facebook) to exchange their opinions regarding this initiative. A person named as Aylie Fernandes commented, “This is how the GDP grows, income with no expense and starving the people. St Lucian deserved to have this government. It is god sent.”

Currently, Saint Lucia seeking solutions amid the sugar shortage and the authorities are trying to cooperate with other suppliers.