MARKET vendors at the Lautoka market are reporting a significant drop in sales following the Christmas period, with fewer customers visiting the market during the first week of the New Year.
Usman Ali, who has been a market vendor for more than 30 years, said business had been slow since Christmas.
“Market selling at this time is a bit slack,” he said.
“On Christmas Eve, business was good and we were able to sell vegetables to many customers. Nowadays it is very slow.
“I don’t know what is happening. Maybe people do not have enough money.”
He said vendors were still facing high costs when buying produce from suppliers in Monasavu.
“I buy a bag of vegetables for between $30 and $40.
“We also depend on good weather for our suppliers to provide fresh vegetable produce.”
Fruit seller Lusia Biauvere said customer turnout dropped significantly after Christmas week.
“Business was good during Christmas, but after that not many people come around,” she said.
“We sell apples, bananas, watermelons, pineapples and other fruits and vegetables.
“Our manager supplies fruits from our yard in Namoli to sell at the market, and we also import fruits from New Zealand.”
Market vendor Damyati Naidu of Tomuka, Lautoka, shared similar concerns, saying sales had remained low since the festive period.
“During Christmas and New Year, business was a bit slack,” she said.
“I was here on Christmas Eve selling fruits and vegetables, but now we are not selling much each day, and it is very hard for us.”
Ms Naidu said she had reduced prices in an effort to earn some income.
“We are selling at very low prices.
“I have been selling at the market for three years now and we are not making enough sales in a day.”
Vegetable seller Kaliappa Naidu said business this year was not good compared with previous years.
“Sales are down and business is not good because many vendors are selling the same vegetables at different prices,” he said.
“Christmas and New Year sales were hopeless.
“I think people have no money to buy, and we are hardly making any sales in a day. Before Christmas we sold tomatoes for $2 or $3, but now we can’t.”
