Announcement from the Ministry of Commerce - Subsidies for Medications, Adult Diapers, and Canned Mackerel: New Prices Effective from January 15, 2026

Announcement from the Ministry of Commerce - Subsidies for medications, adult diapers, and canned mackerel will be implemented: new prices will take effect from January 15, 2026.

On December 23, at a press conference in Ebène, the Minister of Commerce and Consumer Protection, Michael Sik Yuen, presented an overview of the actions taken by his ministry in light of the ongoing rise in the cost of living. A key element of this presentation was the expansion of the fixed-amount subsidy program by the Price Stabilization Fund, initially applied to a limited number of products.

The program will now include canned mackerel and adult diapers. Additionally, a specific subsidy will be introduced for certain essential medications, including antihypertensives, cardiovascular treatments, and diabetes medications sold starting at Rs 100 per box. All these measures will take effect from January 15, 2026.

The minister clarified that the subsidy will be set at Rs 10 per box of canned mackerel. Adult diapers will receive a support of Rs 50 for each pack of ten units. For the targeted medications, a subsidy of Rs 50 will be granted for each eligible box. According to Michael Sik Yuen, these decisions aim to alleviate financial pressure on households, particularly those deemed more vulnerable.

The minister noted that subsidies had already been granted to a wide range of products in recent years, which had helped contain some daily expenses. He reaffirmed his ministry's commitment to continue targeted actions to mitigate the impact of price fluctuations on consumers.

Among other measures discussed was the elimination of the value-added tax on frozen and canned vegetables, announced as part of this year’s budget. Maximum margins were also set by the ministry at 25% for canned vegetables and 34% for frozen vegetables. The stated goal is to better regulate market prices while ensuring access to these products.

Regarding consumer protection, Michael Sik Yuen indicated that 12 new regulations have been introduced by the unit responsible for consumer issues. These regulations cover various areas, including the safety of children's toys, standards for gas water heaters, and conditions for selling essential goods in emergency situations. The ministry also plans to develop new regulations governing the used car market.

In a positive report about the State Trading Corporation Mauritius (STC), the minister stated that it recorded a surplus of Rs 3.5 billion as of June 30, 2025. Since 2024, the STC has reduced diesel prices and made two cuts to gasoline prices. The public agency also acquired a storage terminal for $33.5 million and plans to introduce new products to the market. Furthermore, Michael Sik Yuen highlighted the gradual decrease in the price stabilization account deficit, which has dropped from Rs 4.2 billion in June 2024 to Rs 2 billion today. He assured that prices of certain sensitive products, such as ration rice and gas, will continue to be maintained despite trends in international markets.