Higher wholesale prices squeeze Lautoka market traders

For Josefa Soko, every day at the Lautoka Municipal Market begins at 7am with the hope of earning enough to support his family.

The 65-year-old from Koro Island in the Lomaiviti Group has spent years selling vegetables, relying on the market as his main source of income to cover everyday expenses.

"Everything comes from the market — paying rent, water and electricity bills, school expenses and transport," he said.

"It's a good business, but business goes up and down all the time."

Mr Soko said he appreciated the Lautoka Market's facilities and extended trading hours, which allowed vendors to trade from early morning until evening.

Behind the daily routine, however, he said earning a living had become increasingly difficult.

Rising wholesale prices and fewer customers were squeezing already thin profit margins, forcing vendors to adjust their prices constantly.

"We buy our produce from suppliers and try to make a small profit," he said.

Mr Soko said a sack of cassava now cost about $60, while cabbage sold for between $15 and $25 a dozen. During the dry season, eggplant could cost as much as $150 a bag and cauliflower about $80.

He said vendors often had little choice but to lower prices before fresh produce spoiled.

"If cassava doesn't sell today for $10, tomorrow we have to sell it for $7. The same with cabbage. The price keeps going down."

Mr Soko said the rising cost of living had also reduced the number of customers visiting the market.

"People don't have much money now, so there are fewer customers," he said.

Despite the challenges, he said vendors continued to persevere because market trading remained their primary source of income.