While many are enjoying the festivities of the New Year, it was business as usual for some vendors at the Suva Market.

Fifty-three-year-old market vendor Abhay Sharma, of Nabitu in Nadroga, was among others who were selling their produce at the Suva Market on Wednesday.

Mr Sharma, who is a farmer and middleman, returned home after selling his produce on Wednesday to spend the New Year with his family.

He said he had been making two trips weekly to the market to sell cash crops, mainly vegetables like okra, bhaigan (eggplant), cabbage, bean and fruits like pawpaw and banana.

“It takes hard work, sacrifice and a lot of courage to leave my family twice a week and come and sell produce at the Suva Market,” Mr Sharma said.

“This is my last trip to the Suva Market before the New Year and I am not happy with the price of food. This week I supplied and sold okra, eggplant and pawpaw. I bought a bag of bhaigan for $10 and when I came here, the market price was $5. There is no profit.

He said in order to meet the demand from his customers, he had to buy from other farmers.

Another farmer, Josese Nakanavadra of Vanuakula in Naitasiri enjoyed good sales from selling his root crops and vegetables.

“They sold out quickly, especially the dalo, dalo leaves and ota. I sold dalo for $25, $20, $18 and $12. In one week I can get $300 from just selling rourou or dalo leaves,” Mr Nakanavadra said.

Back to school shopping

Meanwhile, Bale Likukula a parent of Dilkusha, Nausori, was in Suva to shop for her children’s stationery.

“I came to look for my kids’ school books. One is in Year Eight and the other is in Year 11. It’s better to buy now because it is not busy and I can look around to compare prices.”

Patricia Ledua, a supervisor at Dominion Bookshop said most parents bought exercise books because textbooks would be given in schools.

Feedback: litia.tikomailepanoni@fijisun.com.fj