Farmers pass on fuel costs to markets

Rising fuel prices are pushing up food costs in Nadi, with market vendors reporting sharp increases as farmers pass on higher transport expenses.

Vendors say produce brought in from farming areas — including the Sigatoka Valley, Ba, Nausori and Tailevu — is now more expensive, as suppliers from rural areas adjust prices to cover fuel costs.

Nadi Market Vendor Association member Aruna Chand said the impact had been immediate.

“Due to the fuel price increase, prices in the market have gone up, and everything is very costly for us,” she said.

Ms Chand said most vendors depended on produce transported from outside Nadi, making them vulnerable to rising fuel costs.

“Before, I bought pineapples for $15 a dozen. Now it is $20. Okra was about $2 a kilo; now it is $4 or $5. Ginger that was $3 or $4 is now $6 or even $8.”

She said bulk purchase prices had also surged.

“Before, we bought one bag for $20 or $30. Now it is $80 or $100. It’s very hard for us market vendors because we are middlemen; we buy and sell.”

Ms Chand, 50, originally from Sigatoka, has raised four children through her earnings at the market.

One son works in Japan, another in New Zealand, one daughter is married, while her youngest daughter studies at the University of Fiji.

“I support myself and my family from here,” she said.

“It is very challenging for us because we must pay stall fees, buy plastic bags and sell in one day. It’s very hard.”

She said the rising costs were also affecting customers.

“It’s very sad for poor people. How can they pay rent, buy groceries, and support their children? This is a very hard time for us all,” she said.