WILLEMSTAD – MFK Member of Parliament Ishair Monte is calling on the government to immediately inspect supermarkets and minimarkets across Curaçao to ensure consumers benefit from the recent decline in fuel prices.
The parliamentarian announced that he will send a formal letter to Minister of Economic Development Roderick Middelhof, requesting that a dedicated inspection team be deployed as soon as possible to monitor retail prices.
According to the MP, many supermarkets and neighborhood minimarkets were quick to raise the prices of goods when fuel costs increased in recent months, citing higher transportation and operating expenses.
Now that government-regulated fuel prices are set to decrease again, he argues that retailers should pass those savings on to consumers.
"When fuel prices went up, supermarkets and minimarkets increased their prices. Now that fuel prices are going down again, they also have the responsibility to lower their prices," the MP said.
The call comes after the government announced significant reductions in the maximum prices for both gasoline and diesel, effective next week. Diesel prices will see the largest decrease, reflecting lower international fuel prices and adjustments in the regulated pricing formula.
The MFK lawmaker believes the Ministry of Economic Development should closely monitor whether businesses are adjusting their prices accordingly and take action if consumers are not receiving the benefits of lower transportation costs.
The proposed inspections would focus on supermarkets and minimarkets throughout the island, with the aim of verifying whether retail prices fairly reflect the recent decline in fuel costs.
The Ministry of Economic Development has not yet responded publicly to the proposal.
The issue of food prices remains a major concern for many households in Curaçao, where the cost of living has risen sharply in recent years. Consumer organizations and residents have repeatedly called for stronger oversight to ensure price reductions are passed on to shoppers when business operating costs decline.