In a retrospective look at the economic landscape of Fiji, an article from The Fiji Times on September 5, 1984, outlines significant price increases as part of the 1985 budget report. Reflecting a time when consumer goods faced heightened costs, the report sheds light on how inflation affected everyday purchases.
At that time, smokers experienced a modest increase in cigarette prices, with packets of 10 rising by two cents and those of 20 by four cents. Cigarette prices hovered between 48 to 50 cents for the smaller packs and reached a dollar for the larger ones. Beer aficionados also felt the pinch, as the price of a carton of 12 bottles rose by 75 cents to $10.65. The shift meant individual bottles in supermarkets climbed to 92 cents.
The budget also mentioned an increase in liquor prices, noting that the cost for spirits went from $11.60 to $12.10 per bottle, while imported brands could demand up to $45 for a 40-ounce bottle, depending on the brand and age. Other household items saw slight increments as well; detergent rose from 49 to 54 cents for a 200-gram packet, and toilet rolls saw an increase of 20 cents.
Soft drinks, which were previously $4.70 for a carton of 12, also faced a 20-cent hike. Furthermore, various edible oils experienced a price increase of a cent per bottle, contributing to the overall inflation that year. The impact of duties was significant, ranging from 35 to 55 percent on a range of imported goods which, in addition, included local products.
Aside from consumer goods, the increased duty affected fuel prices, as petrol surged by four cents to 22 cents per liter, with diesel following suit at 48 cents per liter. On the other hand, to boost the duty-free trade, the government reduced the duty on select electrical items.
This nostalgic view of economic adjustments serves as a reminder of the fluctuating nature of markets and consumer costs, illustrating how government policies can pivot the pricing of everyday goods. While the increases reflected challenging economic conditions at the time, there’s hope that such lessons learned can inform better economic management for the future, creating a more stable environment for consumers.