What’s Up At The Suva Market?

Contrary to some astronomical prices for fruits, vegetables and root crops, many vendors at the Suva Municipal Market have been giving reasonable prices for the products.

In return, their sales have been favourable.

Peni Ravai, who sells taro at the market every year shared this same sentiment.

“I think the different price range in the sale of taro is because of the quantity and the quality of the crop,” Mr Ravai said.

“As well as that, I think there’s a big difference if you look at farmers who bring their produce straight from the farm and middlemen who buy from us farmers.”

The Gusuisavu farmer from Naitasiri is selling taro in heaps for $5 and $10, and $35 for a bundle.

“Every year, when I come to sell, especially around this time, the money I get from here is usually saved for next year,” he said.

Flower Arrangement sale slow However, at the flower arrangement section, Loloma Tikoisitini, isn’t happy about flower wreath sales this Christmas.

The 54-year-old woman, who has been travelling from Tacirua, Nasinu, for the past 15 years has seen the dramatic fall in flower sale in the last few years.

“Usually around this time, I could be earning around $300 to $500 from selling flower wreaths.

However, now I’m lucky if I make $100 in a day,” she said.

Ms Tikoisitini said at times she would have to fall into her customer’s bargain, which may count as a loss for her.

“Right now, many of us thrive on customer orders, but even so, when customers come to buy, they would ask us to drop the price from $20 to $15 or if it’s a $15 worth of wreath, they would ask to buy it for $10.”

She said, although this Christmas may not be exciting for her business, Mr Tikositini was grateful and content with the hustle she was progressing with.

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