DLCA Says Virgin Islanders Should Prepare for Higher Grocery Prices as Pandemic Continues

The V.I. Department of Licensing and Consumer Affairs on Wednesday said the public should expect higher grocery prices as the Covid-19 pandemic continues to disrupt supply chains.

“During my last trip to the grocery, I thought I was imagining things, the price of steak gave me sticker shock," said DLCA Commissioner Richard Evangelista. "Although I was completing my personal to-do list, I turned on my DLCA hat and contacted a manager to confirm the item was not mispriced."

According to DLCA, "Unfortunately, the price was accurate. The cost of steak is really pricier than usual — and so are your eggs, bacon, and other household staples."

DLCA provided an article from the Washington Examiner that delves into the price increases.

"Grocery bills have been steadily rising in the United States as the coronavirus pandemic has continued to wreak havoc on supply chains and as businesses have faced worker shortages in recent months. Those disruptions have been exacerbated by higher demand, droughts, and major storms that have decimated crops and halted food production in some areas," reads the article.