Sticker Shock at Grocery Stores, Graceway Supermarkets explains that now famous pack of Romaine Lettuce

By Deandrea Hamilton & Dana Malcolm

Editorial Staff

#TurksandCaicos, November 23, 2022 – Graceway Supermarkets, after a few episodes of sticker shock gone public, has issued a statement to explain what is causing the abnormal prices at their stores on popular items as we near Thanksgiving.

The supermarket conglomerate, which operates IGA, Smart, Graceway Gourmet, Graceway Cash  & Carry and IGA Grand Turk in Providenciales and Grand Turk, in a statement said  global events are affecting their food prices pushing them ever higher.

The statement came on Tuesday November 21.

Citing the war in Ukraine, which affects the costs of wheat and other commodities, Latoya Walkin, Communications and PR Manager offered up another grim forecast.

“The price of food is expected to increase by up to 11 percent, with the cost of beef, poultry, milk, eggs, and fruit driving the surge. Prices could shoot even higher with droughts affecting crops halting shipments needed for both food and crop production,” said the statement.

Walkin explained that “You’ve probably noticed price rises on Eggs as the Avian Influenza (H5N1, bird flu) outbreak has significantly reduced the supply of eggs, driving up costs across the board.

Most of the eggs sold in US stores are produced domestically. The Avian Flu Pandemic began approximately six months ago and has reduced the capacity of the egg-laying business by about 10 percent and the price in Turkey also rose by 20 percent.

Increases in Romaine lettuce are attributed to supply and demand, changes in growing areas, drought, and a plant virus that ravaged a California growing region in recent months by avian flu.”

An over $17 three-pack of romaine lettuce made social media rounds on the weekend.  Graceway Supermarkets said these prices are out of their control, a whopping 61 per cent jump in the cost of lettuce has resulted in the astronomical surge.

“A case of lettuce used to cost $65; that cost has gone up and is now $105 per case.”

Walkin promised Graceway Supermarkets is making every effort to purchase from various suppliers and has also launched Everyday Low Prices on over 150 breadbasket items that matter most to customers.

“Graceway shares your concerns about higher food costs and the challenges you are facing. While the cost of inflation is beyond our control, we want to help ease the burden as much as possible. We remain committed to keeping you informed about these global trends.”