 The Ministry of Commerce, Manufacturing, Business Development, Corporate and Consumer Affairs recently indicated that due to global shipping delays brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, supplies of brown and refined sugar into St. Lucia have been adversely affected. Consequently, the current supplies are being managed to allow for even distribution to all consumers. The Ministry has been receiving reports of businesses selling sugar above the legislative side. Deputy Director of the Consumer Affairs Department Benedict Joseph reminds businesses that this is an offense. The Ministry takes this opportunity to remind businesses that the retail price of one pound of brown sugar is one dollar and the retail price of one pound of refined sugar is one dollar and ten cents. The Ministry wishes to inform the general public that sugar is a price control item and should never be sold above the legislative price. In fact, section 57, subsection 1 of the Distribution and Price of Goods Act, cap 1309, clearly states that anyone who sells above the legislative price commits an offense and is liable on semi-conviction to a fine not exceeding five thousand dollars or to imprisonment for a two not exceeding one year or both. The Ministry of Commerce, Manufacturing, Business, Development, Corporate and Consumer Affairs urges consumers to be on the lookout for above legislative prices and report any instances to the Consumer Affairs Department. Consumers are encouraged to be extremely vigilant and report to the Consumer Affairs Department any business which is engaged in selling above the legislative price. The Consumer Affairs Department can be contacted at telephone numbers 468-4224 or 468-4231. Our operating hours are between 8 a.m. to 4 30 p.m. The email address is consumeraffairs.commerce.govt.lc. The Ministry is appealing to retailers to continue to manage the sale of sugar to discourage panic buying.