Prices

My sisters have been talking about the high prices for groceries and utilities in the US.  It started me thinking about the prices in Bonaire.  Although our groceries and gas prices have always seemed high to us it was interesting to look at our actual costs.

Some lettuce is grown hydroponically on Bonaire. It costs more than the imported lettuce but it is fresher and last longer in the fridge. 

Some prices are controlled or subsidized by the government.  We had a shortage of eggs because our local producers weren't producing enough to meet demand.  The importers were not importing because the government said that the highest price they could charge was $3.89 a dozen.  They couldn't import eggs for that price and make a profit. This protected the local producers but created a huge shortage on the island.  The Chinese markets came to the rescue and imported eggs from Columbia and sold at the designated price. 

This is our utility bill for electricity.  It is $407 for the month down from $500 plus in previous months  The government has stepped in to subsidize utility costs and those kick in the first of this year. The island uses oil to produce electricity and the world oil market has risen significantly. They have plans to increase solar and wind energy but that is years away from being a reality.

The government also subsidizes gasoline costs. Gas costs $1.28 a liter (about $5.00 a gallon). We fill up the car for $45.00.  That is down from $65.00 for a full tank. Since everything is imported onto the island, we are at risk of food shortages and pricing increases. The island does produce it's own water which is of high quality and relatively inexpensive.  Our water bill is about $40 a month.

That's the price of living in paradise.  We still have free beaches, free access to the ocean, free sunshine and blue skies. It's worth it.