Addressing Price Gouging Concerns on the Agenda as Prime Minister Drew Prepares to Engage Supermarket Operators

Basseterre, St. Kitts, November 9, 2026 (PMO) – Prime Minister, Hon. Dr. Terrance Drew, is preparing to meet with supermarket operators and Consumer Affairs officials to examine what is driving grocery prices, address concerns about price gouging and agree on practical steps to ease the cost of basic goods for families across St. Kitts and Nevis.

Speaking with members of the media last November 5, Prime Minister Drew said the discussion would focus on what families actually pay at the checkout. He used a bag of rice as an example of where the conversation should begin, saying he wants to hear from retailers about what it costs to bring everyday goods to market and where there may be room to lower the shelf price.

“Let us come up with a plan. If it’s a three-month plan, a six-month plan until this crisis passes, let us work on these basic things to get the prices down,” Dr. Drew said.

The Prime Minister acknowledged that higher prices from overseas suppliers and increased shipping charges can raise the cost of goods before they reach local shelves. He said supermarket operators would have the opportunity to explain those pressures directly. The government, in turn, would look at whether increases on essential goods are justified by the costs retailers face and where action can give families some relief.

“I’m not saying they’re gouging. I have met with them, and I think they mean well,” Prime Minister Drew said. “But I want to know: you got to justify to me every dollar and every cent of why the price is that it is.”

The planned talks build on work already underway to make grocery prices easier to track. In February, the Department of Consumer Affairs launched the SKN Smart Shopper app and its accompanying website. Through the Price Tracker, shoppers can compare the cost of items in the essential basket of goods across supermarkets and other retail outlets.

The government has also taken steps to ease some of the costs associated with bringing goods into the Federation. Earlier this year, it temporarily excluded shipping surcharges from customs tax and duty calculations to reduce the tax burden on imports and create room for those savings to reach consumers.

Dr. Drew said follow-up would matter as much as the meeting itself. He indicated that he was prepared to check prices in supermarkets personally to see whether any savings discussed with operators are reflected on the shelves. 

The Prime Minister promised to report back to the public on the outcome of the talks.

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