Chin Fatt: Minister ‘misinformed’ about bakery prices

Director of the Bakers’ Association and owner of Linda’s Bakery, Maraval, Tom Chin Fatt, has described statements made by Minister of Legal Affairs, Camille Robinson-Regis, that bakers have not kept their promise to lower the price of bread, as “misinformed.”

Speaking to Newsday yesterday, Chin Fatt stated that Linda’s Bakery, as well as a number of other bakeries around the country, had reduced their bread prices. “So we don’t know what she is speaking about,” he maintained. Earlier this year, National Flour Mills (NFM) reduced the price of flour by 22 percent as a result of rising prices on the international market. This increase saw local bakers raising their prices by as much as ten percent. However, global wheat prices eventually fell and bakers were ordered to reduce their prices.

The Minister revealed that in May the Bakers’ Association had given the assurance that the prices would be reduced. She maintained that she was not satisfied that this promise had been kept. However, Chin Fatt disagreed with this. “All we are doing is trying to survive like everyone else,” he said. He noted that his bakery had reduced prices on some items, however, it was impossible for them to reduce the price on all flour based products, since they are still faced with numerous expenses. He said, “although the price of flour was reduced, it is now 12.8 percent more expensive than when the year started.” He said other costs, such as security had gone up.