Suva United Market Vendors association general secretary Krishan Kumar (third from right) with fellow vendors at the Suva municipal market on April 11, 2018. Photo: Taraivini Seru
Prices of vegetables in the Suva market have soared following the wrath of recent floodings and strong winds brought in by Tropical Cyclones Josie and Keni.
By Wednesday this week vegetables were being sold at almost twice or more than previous prices by the suppliers and farmers at the Suva market.
The 1700 Suva market vendors have no choice but to double their prices to the consumers following the national disasters.
At the Suva market, a heap of cassava consisting of four cassava was sold for $7 while a heap of tomatoes was for $5.
Suva United Market Vendors Assosciation general secretary Krishan Kumar said the tropical depression and cyclone forced vendors to double or even triple the price of fruits and vegetables.
Mr Kumar said the pineapple he normally sold individually at $4 was now selling at $10 while those usually sold at $2 for one was fetching $5 each.
He said it would take two months for the prices to normalise.
“We are expecting the produce supply to recover in June,” Mr Kumar said.
“All market vendors have to struggle for a living and this time of the year is always a bad time for vendors,” he said.
“Vegetables are expensive at the market because of the long drought, for pawpaw, that used to be $1.50 to $2 a kg but now it’s $5 a kg.
“And then recently the flooding and tropical cyclones has added to our woes.
“Another reason for the shortage is the export of vegetables of which farmers have a quota with their clients to meet.
“That’s why we have lesser produce like okra, cassava, taro and eggplants,” he said.
Mr Kumar said west vendors had expressed their concerns about pricing to the Lautoka City Council.
“Farmers who were affected during the flood have no choice but to sell their produce to middlemen at the market at a higher price,” he said.
“Vendors then sold the produce at a higher price to make profits.”
Market vendor Vani Nabalewa said the tropical depression has caused consumers and vendors alike forking out extra money to purchase vegetables
Ms Nabalewa said prices often fluctuated.
“We still face shortage of things like cabbage and coriander and we also buy things at a higher price,” she said.
“Before, we used to buy a bag of eggplants (baigan) for $10 to $20 but that has risen to $40 per bag. To make profits, we have to sell the produce at $2 per heap.
“This will take us for more than two months until vegetables are in season again,” she said.
