THE GOVERNMENT OF SAINT LUCIA’S POLICIES AIM TO EASE THE BURDEN OF INFLATION ON ITS CITIZENS.

The Government of Saint Lucia has made a major move to ease the cost of living by removing a six percent service charge that is taxed on essential goods. The measure took effect on June 1.

Minister for Commerce, Hon. Emma Hippolyte, explained that these policies are in direct response to increasing global food prices, in order to ease economic pressure on Saint Lucians.

“Effective June 1, this government removed service charges on all price-controlled products as part of government’s ongoing efforts to ease the burden of increased prices. We did this through Statutory Instrument #82 of 2025. This measure took effect from June 1 until May 31, 2026. The suspension applies to a broad range of essential goods including packaged rice, flour milk, cooking oil, potatoes, baby food and canned items.”

The Minister for Commerce says the Consumer Affairs Department, is actively monitoring the implementation of government’s price control policies. Businesses are required to submit price control calculation sheets to gain approval for both wholesale and retail prices. These prices are determined using a legitimate fixed or percentage markup, ranging from 7.5% to 11% at the retail level and 10% to 20% at the wholesale level.

The minister says data received thus far confirms that the six percent price reduction policy has been applied as intended, and that businesses remain compliant with the measure.