Local food and other prices that have been on the rise due to fuel price hikes are set to increase even further as a result of the announced 22 percent increase in electricity bills.

The Barbados Light and Power Company recently announced that due to dramatically increasing global oil prices, there would be a significant impact on the fuel clause adjustment component of bills for the month of April.

President of the Barbados Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Anthony Branker, notes that costs have already been increasing for a number of reasons and some of it will have to be passed on.

Managing Director of Carlton and A1 Supermarkets, Andrew Bynoe, also says it will be difficult for businesses, especially supermarkets, to absorb all of these increases and prices will have to increase to some extent.