I read this in the Amigo...and I'm curious...does the government control the price of white bread?

Scroll down to the story Price of white bread will probably increase

From what I've read in the Papiamento newspapers, it depends on whether or not the bakery is a union shop. If it is, than yes, the government controls the price, if not - not. I believe it's tied to wages of the union bakery worker. Please feel free to correct me if I'm wrong!

The price of white flower is for many many years controlled by the central government and this automatically includes the price of white bread....

Brigitte, thanks. I was hoping you would see this, and figured you would know!

Well, I can't get to the article online, search box isn't working for me...but the price of white bread has gone up. I'm glad they reached negotiations, as the other alternative was to "no longer make white bread."

Price of bread increased

ORANJESTAD – The price of bread went up effective today. The deliberation between the association of bakers and Economic Affairs resulted in the increase of the maximum acceptable price for bread. Depending on the weight, the price of a casino is between 1.11 and 3.75 florins, bbo inclusive; no bbo inclusive, the maximum price is between 1.08 and 3.64 florins.

The ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs placed an ad in the newspapers with the new price for several types of bread. The price increase is the result of negotiations between the association of bakers and economic affairs. The association wanted a price increase for white bread, because they say that with the introduction of the bbo, they can no longer pay the costs. Minister Swaen said that the association has to come with figures that can proof this. The bakeries Huchada, Panaderia Del Pueblo and Bright Bakery presented their figures last Thursday. From these figures it appears that bbo is charged on the transportation of the container, the transportation and delivery of the products to the bakeries, and other companies involved with the process pass on the bbo on the bakers. The association of bakers said that they will take actions if the deliberation does not lead to what the bakers want. One possible action is no longer baking white bread. But that is no longer necessary, because the price of white bread has been increased.

Source: www.amigo.com

Ooohhh .... I never read the link in your 1st posting Cynde --- but the article you pasted from the Amigoe is Oranjestad and that is Aruba ... but I understand from the article, that also Aruba has a controlled price for bread .... perhaps they never changed it after leaving the Netherlands Antilles and they got their Status Aparte..... quite some problem these controlled prices.... just one example, Coco Cola had a controlled price till I think 2 years ago because there was a bottle facility on Curacao.... now the import of Cola is allowed and the imported one (Venezuela, Trinidad) is a lot cheaper than the one from Curacao ! And that goes for a lot of products (WC paper, soap powder, beer etc...) and often the Curacao products are of a inferior quality ....

Thanks Brigitte. Very interesting indeed! A little free market and trade certainly makes choices more variable (and prices!)

This has me wondering, does Bonaire have an import export agreement with specific countries?

Not that I know off, would have to be done with/by Holland as all foreign politics

Thanks Brigitte