The decrease in the quantity of vegetables being supplied to vendors is causing problems at the Labasa market.
Labasa Vendors Market Association president Salanieta Bola said farmers were finding it difficult to sell their produce to vendors.
Ms Bola said some of the farmers had started selling their own produce at the farmers’ shed in the market.
“If this continues, the vendors will lose out because of the shortage of vegetables,” she said.
Ms Bola said the dry spell in Labasa over the past three months was affecting vegetable supply, adding that this was driving up the prices.
“The price of vegetables has doubled over the weeks,” she said.
Vegetable vendor Akeneta Waita said farmers sold their produce to vendors at a high price.
“It’s true, there’s a shortage of vegetables. The dry spell has contributed to this and farmers now bring their own produce to the market to sell,” she said.
She bought 28 heaps of lime from a farmer for $56, up $26 from the previous week.
“Last week, I bought one bag of lime for $48 and I made a profit of just $12,” she said.
“I tried selling four limes only for $2, but no one bought it because there are other farmers here selling their produce.”
Ms Waita said there was an immediate need to address the issue.
