Just a few days after CARICOM Heads met in Guyana to find ways of alleviating the high cost of living, Grenadian residents have been slapped with a fuel price hike. Following a reduction in the price of cooking gas and gasoline in October, prices have now risen again. A release from the energy division states that the new retail prices are computed based on ex-refinery prices for the period October 5 to November 30, 2007. Instead of paying $12.36 for gasoline, effective Monday consumers are now paying $13.05. The last price adjustment left diesel users paying $11.78 for the product; however, with the latest increase they now have to pay $13.06. Kerosene moved from $9.22 to $10.53. The largest increase is that of LPG (cooking gas). Consumers are now paying $41.00 for a 20lbs cylinder compared to the recent price of $37.15, while the 100lbs cylinder increased from $183.25 to $202.50. The consensus among Grenadians is that, with such high prices for basic household and food items, Christmas will not be the same, since the authorities are also encouraging consumers to conserve and use energy efficiently. However, with regard to the increase in fuel prices, the Grenada government said it will continue to closely monitor the pricing mechanism and will adjust prices in accordance with subsequent market movements. Grenadians have also been encouraged by the Strategic Trade Advisor to Government to shop smart and eat healthy. Dr Patrick Antoine says this can be one of the stepping stones in helping to reduce the rising cost of living not just in Grenada but the region as a whole. Antoine said that Caribbean people have allowed their eating habits to be of an international taste and not one that is local. The Strategic Trade Advisor stressed the importance of putting emphasis on agriculture, which can help to lessen the amount of food that is imported. Reprinted from Caribbean Net News caribbeannetnews.com