Market vendors in Lautoka are trying their best to earn a living. The high price of rootcrops, especially dalo and cassava, demanded by suppliers has resulted in vendors passing this increase in cost to customers.
Tavaita Tinai of Nasukamai in Ra, said not many people were buying from her because of the increased prices of the crops.
“Cassava and dalo are crops that are expensive right now,” she said.
“But we must persevere so that at least we can still earn money to support our family,” she said.
“A bag of cassava is being sold to us from the suppliers for $100 a bag, and I sell a heap for $10.
“We feel sorry for our customers because the prices have increased but we have to also make a profit from our sales.”
Fellow vendor Salaseini Radini said another challenge was the increase in fees for the tables in the Lautoka market charged by the city council.
“Vegetables prices are already expensive and then we have tables which are costly,” she said.
“For a bag of eggplants, it costs $100, kumala (sweet potatoes) $140 and tomatoes $140, those are the challenges we’re facing.”
