Minister Geoffrey Wever informs that the Department of Economic Affairs, Industry and Commerce (DEACI) until July 2023 has controlled all districts of Aruba 80.491 prices of products of the basic basket.
These prices are set by the government and traders are not allowed to sell these products at a higher price than that set by the Minister of Economic Affairs. To ensure that all supermarkets and minimarkets comply with the law DEACI constantly monitors the prices of products from the basic consumption basket to guarantee that consumers pay the price according to the law.
The basic catalogue consists of 1271 products of different brands, contents and packaging. Price control takes place on the basis of the basic price list consisting of:
Rice,Baby food,Baby formula,Coffee, Tea, Cornmeal,Coffee milk, Powdered milk, Cooking Oil, Frozen broccoli,Frozen spinach,Frozen mixed vegetables,Dried red beans,Dried black beans,Dried lima beans,Canned tuna fish Canned sardines,Canned salmon,All purpose flour,Spaghetti,Oatmeal,UHT milk
To control the price of basic basket, the DEACI divides Aruba into three regions. Region I is Oranjestad. Region II is Noord, Paradera and Santa Cruz. Region III is Pos Chiquito, Savaneta and San Nicolas. As for the latest results of the DEACI price control, until July 2023 DEACHI controllers visited 904 establishments in Oranjestad Noord, Paradera, Santa Cruz, Pos Chiquito, Savaneta and San Nicolas.
As of July 2023, DEACI controlled 80,491 product prices in 904 establishments in all districts. Of the 80,491 price observations, 79,249 are lawful. The number of infractions is 1.242 which is 1.5%. If during the inspection 10 or more price violations are found, the establishment will receive a warning letter. As of January 2023, 26 establishments have received a warning letter.
It is important for our citizens to be informed that the Department of Economic Affairs, Industry and Commerce monitors the price of basic cannabis products every day and every month in all districts according to Minister Geoffrey Wever. The daily control of maximum prices is necessary to guarantee that there is no abuse of prices of products regulated by the Ministry of Economic Affairs and so the consumer can be sure that he is buying the product of the basic cannabis at the correct price. To keep the consumer informed, the results of the price control will be published every three months.