THE price of flour and sharps will increase today the third time in five months.
The Prices and Incomes Board yesterday announced that the increase in price of flour and sharps was owed to the rising price of imported wheat.
Wheat price increases are driven by strong demand against a shrinking harvest output and a severe drought that directly affected Australian wheat production. Australia is one of the world's leading exporters of wheat, the PIB said.
"Prices are volatile and it is difficult to assess when prices will stabilise," it said.
A kilogram of flour, which cost $1.24 yesterday will cost $1.30 today.
Two kilograms of flour previously cost $2.33 and will now cost $2.44.
The price of four kilograms of flour now cost $4.98 or 14 cents more. Five kilograms of flour cost 29 cents more or $6.03, while 10kg cost more than 70 cents or $12.16.
A kilogram of sharps costs six cents more or $1.31, two kilograms cost 12 cents more or $2.46, four kilograms cost more than 30 cents of its previous price or $5.01.
The Fiji Women's Crisis Centre said if this was the sign of things to come, then it was time the interim administration stepped down and handed over the reigns of power to more capable people.
"The poor people are suffering the most," centre coordinator Shamima Ali said. The Consumer Council of Fiji said this was a global phenomenon because imported flour was not taxed.
"Even though it is exempted from tax and duty, still the price is too high. We should be self-sufficient and plant root-crops in our back yard," said council chief executive officer Premila Kumar.
"The multiple effect of this will be an increase in the price of bread and biscuit amongst other things. It is unfortunate that we have to dig deeper for basic food items. Very little can be done since we depend on what we make out of flour and sharp."
The Fiji Council of Social Services refused to comment when contacted.
In September, the price of flour and sharps increased by three and four cents a kilogram respectively.
In October, the PIB announced a 10-cents per kilogram increase in the price of flour and sharps.