SATT lobbies for lower food prices

THE SUPERMARKET Association of TT (SATT) yesterday pledged its commitment to the delivery of quality goods at affordable prices, and is lobbying the government to review duties on certain basic items.

This call was made by SATT President Heeranand Maharaj at a press conference at the Hilton Trinidad. At present, there is a 25 percent duty on flour and 40 percent duty on oil, Maharaj said, although “exporters were able to bring in and sell high quality brands cheaper than those produced locally, which are exempt from these duties”. In an April 14 letter to Trade Minister Ken Valley, CEO of the Arima Discount Mart and former SATT President Balliram Maharaj asked that government “remove or reduce the duties which vary from five to one hundred and twenty five percent on flour, oils, meats, macaroni, cheese and split peas effective immediately”.

Maharaj asked Valley to remove the 25 percent duty on flour immediately, thus allowing importers to sell it to consumers for less than the existing price and to consider removing these duties on all basic food items. In correspondence forwarded to Valley by SATT on April 30, Heeranand Maharaj expressed concern that “the percentage increase on these products (flour, vegetable oils, milk powder, chicken) without any reasonable explanations to the consuming population is a cause for concern”. He claimed the existing situation did not allow for any input by SATT in determining the final price structure, and recommended that the 15 percent duty on meats be removed as Trinidad and Tobago could not produce enough to satisfy the demand.

Additionally, he asked that all peas and beans be exempt from duty, and that the 91 percent surcharge on poultry, turkey and chicken parts be reduced. At yesterday’s conference, he stated: “While we feel that we have to support the local industry, we feel that the product quality has been to some extent, compromised because of the absence of competition.” However, some imported items have a high grade and are able to compete with locally manufactured products, claimed Maharaj. He said theirs was a “highly competitive industry” and local consumers enjoyed the lowest food prices in the Caribbean. SATT would like Valley to consider removing or reducing taxes on beef, goat, cheese, flour, oil, macaroni, milk (UHT), cereals, canned vegetables, canned peas, rice (out of Guyana) and chicken.