Flour shortage in TT

While Trinidad and Tobago is awash with energy windfalls people are facing severe hardships in getting basic food supplies, either because of escalating prices or shortages. The latest commodity to be scarce is flour and products derived from it, such as pasta.

Shopkeepers are rationing flour in many communities, putting a cap of five kilos per customer until the situation improves.

Some supermarkets say they ran out of supplies over the long weekend and their main suppliers have so far failed to deliver. But other groceries say it's been two weeks since they received flour although they placed orders on time.

There is speculation that the flour mill is hoarding supplies, anticipating a rise in the price of flour.

North America is facing a wheat supply crisis and in Canada - one of the biggest wheat suppliers in the world - flour prices are on the rise due to a low supply of wheat. That is having a ripple effect in countries like Trinidad and Tobago that relies on imported wheat to mill into flour.

The flour shortage is affecting businesses like bakeries, roti shops and even the doubles vendors. All of them rely on flour as the main ingredient in their business and the shortage is causing them to lose business. They are also forced to push prices. Recently, doubles went up to four dollars.

Consumers are worried that soon they won't be able to afford flour and flour products. The government has said it is not aware of any problems. Trade and Industry Minister Dr Keith Rowley told local media the management of National Flour Mills, the country's largest flour manufacturer, has not reported difficulties in supplying the domestic market.

Rowley acknowledged that there is a supply problem with wheat that has led to higher costs but he said the government could only act if the suppliers outline their problems so the ministry can determine how to respond to the problem.

Rising food prices is a regional and global problem. And recently the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) suspended the common external tariff (CET) on a wider range of food imports to help people deal with the rising food prices on consumers.

And the ministry of agriculture is accelerating its efforts to to boost domestic food production.

But such plans cannot resolve the immediate problems that consumers are facing in finding flour and other commodities that are in short supply.