VEGETABLE PRICES STABILISE

THE INCREASE IN THE PRICES OF VEGETABLES AT THE SAVUSAVU MARKET HAS STABILISED AFTER TROPICAL CYCLONE WINSTON IN FEBRUARY.

The cyclone battered many of the hidden paradise’s infrastructures and agriculture products in Bua and Savusavu. Market vendor Sera Tuinaceva said the prices had dropped again after supply returned to normal early last week.

The hike in the prices of vegetables at the Savusavu Market has stabilised after the damaged caused by Tropical Cyclone Winston in February. The cyclone battered many of the hidden paradise’s infrastructures and agriculture products in Bua and Savusavu. Savusavu Market vendor Sera Tu- inaceva said the prices had dropped again after supply returned to normal early last week.

“Price of vegetables has normalised. Supply from the suppliers from Sigatoka has normalised,” Mr Tuinaceva said. “Prices of long bean have gone down from $4 to $2 per bundle, baingan is now sold at $1 per heap compared to $4 heap, fresh chauraiya is now sold at $1 or $0.50 per bundle compared to $2 per bundle, but the supply of chillies to the market is still low.” Similar sentiments were shared by Sereana Marama, who said she started planting vegetables at her farm but had been waiting for some assistance the Ministry for Agriculture. “I have ploughed my land and have started planting vegetables, which would be ready in a short period of time,” Ms Marama said. “I would also need help from Agriculture Ministry for supply of seeds and seedlings so that I can start afresh with my cash crop farming.” Savusavu Market vendor Luisa Madden said she was coping well after the vegetable supply normalised. “Price of vegetables which are bought daily for example baigan has gone down from $50 per bag to $40 now, so we are still adjusting and benefitting,” she said. Ms Madden said the 90 vendors back selling produce was a good sign. Edited by Jonathan Bryce