Rising sugar prices won't stop buyers

THE increase in sugar prices in just two weeks has caused anger among retailers and consumers.

Cakes 2000 owner Suliasi Rosa said the significant increase in sugar price had affected his business. He said he was surprised with the increase in the price of sugar in just a short span of time.

"For this year alone, I first bought one 50kg bag for $49, it later increased to $79. After two weeks the price has jumped to $104 per bag," said Mr Rosa.

"I was shocked with the fast increase but again there was nothing that could be done."

Despite the increase in prices, Mr Rosa said he would not increase the prices of cakes.

"I am hopeful that the increase will be temporary and that is one reason we didn't increase the prices of cakes," he said.

"But again the rise in sugar prices has really affected our business."

New World supermarket Lautoka manager Ishwar Lal said there was nothing that could be done to change the sugar prices.

He said the number of sugar buyers had dropped in the last two months.

"Before the price increase, people always bought up to 10kg but now customers only buy 1kg or 2kg," Mr Lal said.

"We have been receiving many complaints from our customers but again it's beyond our jurisdiction."

Mr Lal said the supermarket increased the sugar price from $1.70 to $2.29 per kg in two weeks.

RB Patel supermarket chief operating officer Deepak Rathod echoed the similar sentiments.

"Because of the many people that consume sugar, people will still buy it despite the increase," said Mr Rathod.

"We do feel for the people but again we cannot do much."

(Source: http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=170506)