Floods to push up veggie prices
Expect the prices of vegetables to increase after a shortage of supply in the aftermath of flooding brought by Tropical Cyclone Keni. That was the verdict by farmers and market vendors at the Suva Municipal Market yesterday.
Some vendors and suppliers Fiji Sun spoke to said this would be the norm in the next few weeks in areas affected by TC Keni. Maria Dau of Sawani in Naitasiri said because of TC Keni she was financially at a loss because flooding damaged crops she cultivated. “We have cassava, banana and we also plant long beans, but because of flooding all were damaged,” she said.
“The banana trees fell because of winds and all were gone. People don’t buy the green ones so we had to throw them away.”
Ms Dua said farming was the only income for her family.
Marama Tabua of Qelekuro Village, Tailevu, said there was a shortage of vegetables from suppliers who usually came from Ba and Nadi. “The farmers from Western side did not turn up to Suva market this Saturday because of the recent flooding and I believe their farms were badly affected by TC Keni,” she said.
“The price of the vegetables has also gone up because supplies are not sufficient.”
Mohini Lata, 42, of 8 Miles Tuirara said she was badly affected by the flood because she sold her own vegetables in the market.
“I used to bring a lot of vegetables to the market, but today I did not bring much because all my root crops and vegetables were damaged,” she said.
“It is a big loss for farmers as well as vendors and buyers because the price is increasing. If planting resumes after the floods it will take months before harvesting and supply are back to normal.”