In a retrospective look at the economic landscape of Fiji in 1984, an article from The Fiji Times reveals significant price hikes affecting everyday consumers, as detailed in the 1985 budget report. Many staples, including tobacco, alcohol, and household products, saw increased costs, reshaping the spending habits of residents.
Smokers faced escalating prices, with the cost of a packet of 10 cigarettes rising by two cents and by four cents for a packet of 20, bringing the total to between 48 and 50 cents and 96 cents to a dollar, respectively. Beer prices also took a leap, with carton prices for 12 bottles increasing by 75 cents from $9.90. Individual bottles were approximately 92 cents.
The budget adjustments reflected broader trends in alcohol pricing, as the cost of spirits surged from $11.60 to $12.10 per bottle, while imported liquors could reach prices as steep as $30 to $45 depending on the brand. Other household products weren’t spared either, with 200-gram packets of detergent increasing from 49 cents to 54 cents, and packs of toilet rolls experiencing a similar 20-cent price rise.
Duty on various consumer goods also saw an increase, affecting everything from local cigarettes to snack foods and building materials. The duty on petrol spiked to 22 cents per liter, while diesel rose to around 48 cents per liter.
Nonetheless, in a bid to support specific sectors, the government reduced duties on certain electronic goods like video decks and hair dryers to 10 percent, aiming to stimulate the duty-free trade.
This historical snapshot not only illustrates a time when cost increases directly impacted daily life but also highlights how government policies attempted to navigate the challenges in trade and consumer pricing. Although the changes brought difficulties to the residents at the time, they facilitated a restructuring of the economy that could pave the way for future stability and growth.
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