Co-founder of the Caribbean Supermarket Association (CSA), Vernon Persad, says the key to reducing the high food import bill, locally and regionally, is a change in culture as it relates to people’s consumption patterns.
Persad, who is also director of Persad’s ‘D’ Food King Group, noted that the big question is how countries will reduce their food import bill and what are the items that should be targeted for this to happen?
Speaking at the CSA launch at Krave Restaurant in Marabella on Tuesday, he said that to achieve a reduction in the food import bill there must be a change in the culture and consumption patterns of citizens.
“We sell what the public wants. However, if their taste patterns change from salmon to tilapia or some other local fish, then we will remove the volume of salmon from our shelves and replace it with what customers are looking for and what they prefer,” said Persad.
He noted that it will take a lot of work from everyone, including the media, to promote the cultural change required to be achieved.
“This is not just an initiative of the Caribbean Supermarket Association, but it has to be an initiative of the people of the Caribbean for this to work. We are doing our part and expect everyone else to add support. So we are changing the rhetoric, let’s all be part of this change”, he added.
Asked why supermarkets import some of the products they do, CSA chairman Rajiv Diptee, who also spoke at the launch, replied: “We are not in the business of stocking goods. What you see on the shelves and what consumers continue to buy is what we continue to import. Should there be a threshold for consumer tolerance where they no longer want to buy these goods is another question. But what you see now and certainly what’s being rolled out and still getting a price…that’s sensitive to consumers.”
He added: “I think when you look at the basics, especially when you want to change the culture of consumption, because there is a culture and it’s a Caribbean problem. I have heard in the islands from other rooms that the culture of imported goods overtakes the profile of local goods and perhaps we need to work on a culture that considers food, marketing and making products more attractive to customers. .”
He said they have seen it done by many different groups who have been able to infiltrate supermarket space and get their products on the shelves.
“They’ve really done their homework and maybe that’s something we need…because we can’t force consumers into consumption patterns they don’t want to be in. So, from our side we are working on it as an ongoing initiative.
“We must bear in mind, however, that global inflation continues due to the war in Ukraine, as well as factors that include situations of uncertainty such as with China. And there’s a situation right now with this inflation where we’re hearing that there might be some stability early next year, but again, it’s a fluid situation and we’re responding to everything right now. It is not unique to Trinidad and Tobago,” Diptee said.
CSA Vice President Vasant Bharath said that food producers should increase their capacity using technology and younger generations should be involved in agriculture.
