Inside the bustling Suva Market where Fiji comes to life

The heartbeat of Fiji’s capital city is the Suva Municipal Market where stalls of vegetables, crops and fruits of all kinds and colors are displayed.

Open throughout the week, the Suva Municipal Market is a two-level building which has been the main supplier of fresh produce to families in Suva.

On the ground level is where vendors and customers can buy dry goods, fruits, vegetables and other primary agriculture produce.

While the upper floor is where customers can buy a variety of food species, ingredients as well as kava products.

The prices of species on the second floor are reasonably priced as compared to the prices offered at the local supermarket.

Meanwhile, farmers from various parts of Fiji supply their kava produce to vendors to be sold at the Suva Municipal Market.

Some of these Kava products are either already powdered and packed or sold separately as kava roots.

A customer looks through the range of spices and goods at the second floor of the Suva Municipal Market

Photo: Laiseana Nasiga

A customer buys kava from a vendor at the second floor of the Suva Municipal Market

Photo: Laiseana Nasiga

The Suva Municipal Market was first established in the 1950s and with the growing demand for fresh produce within the Suva area, the market has also expanded.

It now provides a bigger space for vendors with a minimal daily fee.

The Suva Municipal Market is looked after by the Suva City Council that provides the general maintenance and upkeep of the market.

Although its open daily, the Suva Municipal Market is at its full capacity on Friday and Saturday as most families’ flock to the market to shop for their weekend supply of fresh agriculture produce.

Additional tents are also set up outside the market since Thursday to accommodate more vendors and farmers that travel to Suva to sell their agricultural produce.

On Saturdays, people visit the Suva Market early in the morning to get the best seafood and produce.

There are also cooked food, and raw edible seafood that are already home prepared and sold at the market.

Inside and outside the market are food kiosks where several women sell home cooked Fijian delicacies, pastries, and more.

Next to the food section are florists who are set up to sell different types of local flowers that are put into bouquets, wreaths and other flower arrangements.

Towards the far end of the market, locally produced virgin coconut oil is also sold.

There is a lot of entrepreneurial activities that take place at the Suva Municipal Market.

Basically, the Suva Municipal Market is like a shopping mall where everything you need is located. From agriculture produce, seafood, cooked meals, fruits & vegetables to virgin coconut oil.

The location of the market is very close to the Suva bustand which is convenient for the public.

So, if your ever in need for fresh agricultural produce, or seafood, be sure to visit the Suva Municipal Market.

Inside the Suva Municipal Market

Photo: Laiseana Nasiga