Retailers Overcharging for Bread, Ministry of Agriculture Calls for Reports

Last week, the cost of a 16-ounce pack of regular white bread shot up by 35 cents, but many consumers now find themselves paying half a dollar more than they used to. While the control price is $2.10, several businesses are demanding consumers pay $2.25 for a loaf of bread. Yesterday, our newsroom sought clarity on the discrepancy from the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security.  We spoke to the Director of the Supplies Control Unit, Lennox Nicholson. He explained that the retailers are overcharging and encouraged consumers to report businesses that are overcharging. 

Lennox Nicholson, Controller of Supplies: “There is a tendency in the retail sector for particularly when pricing certain goods to adjust prices in 25 cents increments. Right ? So you would go $2, $2.25, $2.50, $2.75, $3. And to a certain extent even some of our consumers have a habit of not putting the value on the five cents pieces that they ought to. Right ?  But what we what we need to remind retailers that the regulated price is two dollars and ten cents. That is what you’re legally allowed to charge, not a penny more. Right? So we have received the reports that you mentioned, particularly in rural Belize district. It seemed to be a particular issue there and we are taking steps to address that particular situation and we would also like to encourage our consumers, get your 15 cents change if you pay out a $2.25. Don’t leave any money there, right? It’s actual, it’s money. So we want to remind retailers that the regulated price is $2.10 and that is what you’re allowed to charge for that product. And we would like to remind consumers to take your change and insist that you be charged the proper amount.”

You can make a report by calling the unit at 828-5018 or 828-5090.