Sint Maarten: Supermarkets fined for hurricane season price gouging
Three supermarkets in Sint Maarten were fined recently for violating the ministerial regulation regulating maximum prices in connection with the 2024 hurricane season.
The Inspectorate of Economic and Transport Affairs (IETA) said during a routine control, Economic Controllers from the Ministry discovered that three supermarkets were selling goods at a price higher than the maximum price indicated by the Minister, namely, sardines in water, RICO white rice, Vienna sausage and JIF peanut butter.
In one extreme case with the product JIF peanut butter, the maximum price established by the minister is Naf6.80 and the supermarket was retailing JIF peanut butter for NAf8.15 which is Naf1.35 higher than permitted.
All three supermarkets received an individual fine of Naf250 for the violations detected.
These violations are in direct contravention of the pricing guidelines issued by the Minister of TEATT, which are designed to protect consumers from price gouging and ensure fair access to essential goods.
Meanwhile, in a separate incident a fine was imposed on a gas station for offering gasoline and diesel products at prices higher than the maximum limits set by the Minister of TEATT.
The Inspectorate of Economic and Transport Affairs (IETA) said during a routine inspection on August 17, 2024, officials from the Ministry discovered that the gas station was charging customers NAf2.494 per litre for gasoline and NAf2.055 per litre for diesel, both of which exceeded the permissible rates established under the ministerial regulation AB 2024, no. 29 Regulation maximum prices petroleum products.
The current maximum prices permitted by the Ministry are NAf2.394 per litre for gasoline and NAf1.908 per litre for diesel.
This violation is in direct contravention of the pricing guidelines issued by the Minister of TEATT, which are designed to protect consumers from price gouging and ensure fair access to essential fuels.
Lucien Wilson, the Head of IETA, stated, “The department is committed to enforcing the laws that protect consumers from unfair practices. We take any breach of these regulations very seriously and will continue to monitor compliance across all gas stations.”
The fine imposed on the gas station amounts to Naf250, reflecting the seriousness of the violation.
The Ministry is also issuing a stern warning to all gasoline stations to adhere strictly to the pricing regulations or face similar penalties.
In addition to the fine, the gas station is required to immediately adjust their fuel prices to comply with the legal limits. Failure to do so may result in further legal action, including the potential suspension of their operating license.
