Prime Minister, the Hon. Philip Davis met with retail grocers at the Office of the Prime Minister on Tuesday. This comes as the latest value added tax (VAT) changes on unprepared food and other essential items are set to come into effect on April 1st.

Super Value President, Debra Symonette shared her expectations with ZNS News before heading into the meeting. She said, “we’re just hoping that we will get a favorable response from them. We’re all for the people getting the VAT free but, you know we’ll like some leniency of our behalf.”

Symonette went further stating grocers expect the VAT transition to go smoothly. “Of course we won’t be able to change all the prices on the individual items all at once to meet that deadline, but our system will be correct. So once you take your products to the register you will get the correct price. The zero VAT on the food items.”

The Super Value president said grocers are generally ready for the change in prices. She said, “it’s just the VAT return that we are kind of anxious right now because there will be additional work for that.”

The items set for a zero VAT rating include fresh produce, baby food, lunch snacks, frozen foods and fresh and frozen uncooked meats. The lists also included staples such as sugar, milk and eggs.