The Consumer Affairs Commission Jamaica

An Agency of the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce
Government of Jamaica
Overview
 

 

The Consumer Affairs Commission (CAC) undertakes various surveys in its bid to promote and protect the interests of Jamaican consumers. Most of these surveys are conducted on a scheduled basis while others are carried out on an ad hoc basis. The data collected in these surveys is processed and disseminated via different media for the benefit of consumers. These surveys include price surveys, clientele studies and Knowledge, Attitude and Practice (KAP) surveys. 
 
The following are the scheduled surveys conducted by the CAC:
 
Grocery survey - This is conducted bi-monthly by collecting information from supermarkets and shops islandwide. During the Atlantic hurricane season (June – November) a survey of the prices of critical items needed during this period is done. The CAC’s basket of critical food items comprises hardough bread, chicken, cooking oil, corned beef, cornmeal, rice, sugar, counter flour, dried salted fish, condensed milk, sardines, milk powder and mackerel. For the rest of the year, the prices of basic food items are surveyed.  
 
Petrol Survey – This survey which is conducted once per month seeks to track the price of petrol ( E10 87, E 10 90 and Auto Diesel) using  a representative sample of the approximately 290 certified service stations in Jamaica.
 
Hardware Survey- This is done once per month and involves the tracking of prices for items that are most likely to be needed in the event of a disaster (e.g. cement, zinc, nails, lumber, plyboard, tarpaulins) in hardware stores islandwide.
 
School Textbook Survey- This is done once per year in the months of  July and August. The prices of various primary and secondary school textbooks are surveyed in this exercise.
 
Banking Survey- This is conducted once per year and involves the tracking of the fees charged for various products and services offered at all commercial banks in Jamaica
 
Information gathered in the grocery, banking and school textbook surveys is published in Jamaica‘s major newspapers (The Gleaner and Jamaica Observer). The Commission also publishes data in the Western Mirror. This data is also made available on the CAC’s website.