WILLEMSTAD – Consumers on Curaçao are being advised to compare prices carefully before shopping, after a new study revealed that identical products can vary in price by as much as 12 guilders between supermarkets.
The warning comes from Fundashon pa Konsumidó following a price comparison study conducted among fifteen supermarkets across the island.
The organization examined a total of 142 essential consumer products, including rice, flour, sugar, coffee, milk, cleaning supplies, and personal care products.
The survey was carried out between April 13 and April 17.
According to the consumer foundation, the largest price difference was found for a 12-pound bag of Gold Medal flour.
The product was sold for 20.65 guilders at Bon Bini Supermarket, while the same item cost 32.65 guilders at Boulevard Market Place — a difference of exactly 12 guilders.
The study also identified price differences of more than eight guilders for smaller packages of the same flour brand.
Fundashon pa Konsumidó stated that Bon Bini Supermarket offered the largest number of products at the lowest prices overall.
Meanwhile, Mangusa Rio and Mangusa Hypermarket were identified as the supermarkets with the widest product assortments.
The findings come at a time when rising living costs and food prices remain a major concern for many households on the island.
Consumer organizations have repeatedly urged residents to compare prices actively, particularly for essential goods, as inflation and import costs continue affecting supermarket pricing on Curaçao.