Fiji Consumer Council Flags Concerns Over Essential Goods Availability

The Consumer Council of Fiji is sounding the alarm over the availability of essential goods, a matter that directly impacts every household across the nation. Chief Executive Seema Shandil has voiced significant concerns, suggesting that the smooth flow of products to our shelves might be disrupted not just by global supply chain woes, but by internal market behaviors and pricing adjustments.

Shandil's submissions to the Standing Committee on Economic Affairs shed light on a worrying trend: suppliers are reportedly holding back essential items, including locally manufactured goods like canned mutton, while they await approval for price increases. This practice, if widespread, creates artificial scarcity and leaves consumers with fewer choices and potentially higher prices. It begs the question of whether regulatory processes are being exploited or if market dynamics are unfairly disadvantaging the average Fijian.

“

We suggest that future reports, because they are doing so many market surveillance and monitoring price and non-price control items, to include specific actions that they have undertaken to deter artificial shortages on the shelves or selective stocking.

This situation highlights a critical need for enhanced oversight by the Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission (FCCC). The Consumer Council is pushing for reports that specifically detail actions taken to combat artificial shortages and selective stocking. Ensuring that essential goods remain accessible and affordable is paramount to the economic well-being of our citizens, and any practice that obstructs this must be addressed with firm regulatory action. The council's proactive stance underscores its commitment to protecting consumers from market manipulations.

“

Currently, we have an issue in the marketplace where the locally manufactured canned mutton is not available in the marketplace. Upon investigation, the suppliers informed us that they have made a submission to FCCC and they’re still waiting for the outcome of this submission, which is that they’re asking for a price increase, but that should not stop them from shelving the item.