The Prices and Incomes Board has mobilized teams around the country to crack down on Supermarkets and suppliers who may be holding on to stocks of food items, especially in the Northern Division.

Acting Secretary of the PIB Lusiana Naimawi confirmed to Fijivillage news that their teams will conduct thorough inspection in all supermarkets, even the small operators, to ascertain if they are holding on to stocks of rice, wheat and any other product whose price is expected to increase.

Naimawi said it is an offence to refuse to sell items which are in stock and those doing so will be prosecuted.

She confirms that inspections have started today and they have already checked the bulk stores of some outlets.

Meanwhile, the Consumer Council of Fiji will soon meet with the Fair Trading Department to conduct investigations on how many supermarkets are holding onto stocks to sell them at higher price in the next few weeks.

Chief Executive, Premila Kumar confirmed receiving reports that certain supermarkets are holding rice and other items so that they can sell it at a much higher price following an expected price increase.