AT LEAST 800 families in Labasa are finding it hard to make ends meet because of the “slack in business” and rise in the cost of goods.
The market vendors association president, Waisea Makulau, said vendors were no longer making meaningful profits as business had slowed significantly, with fewer sales and reduced customer spending.
“The slack in business has been felt daily by vendors, with many reporting lower turnover compared with previous months,” he said.
Mr Makulau said the slowdown, combined with rising fuel and transport costs, had made it difficult for vendors to sustain their businesses.
The rise in the price of fuel, he said had led to the increase in price of crops and vegetables at the market.
“If prices increase, we may only make around 10 to 20 cents profit. This is the vegetable season, so there is a supply in the market, but fuel costs will still affect us.”
He said vendors were no longer earning what they used to, making it harder to meet daily expenses.
“The little profit we make is used to pay market fees and also buy household goods from supermarkets.”
He said the situation was forcing families to cut back on food choices.
“There are 800 families in the market trying to make ends meet. The government needs to do something. An election is coming up.”
Meanwhile, another vendor Salen Kumar said the drop in sales was evident across the market, with customers spending less and buying in smaller quantities.
