Barbadian consumers can expect the price of food and other imported items to rise due to the international conditions and some food price hikes have already begun.

This has been confirmed by President of the Barbados Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Anthony Branker, a day after government warned that it won’t be able to continue to shield consumers from fuel price hikes due to the fallout from the Ukraine war that is disrupting international oil and gas supplies.

Mr. Branker tells Starcom Network News the rising international price of fuel is already driving up the cost of shipping and with it the cost of all imported items.

Mr. Branker notes that the government initiatives to help curb some increases will have only limited impact.