Vendors explain increase

Ropate Valemei
Saturday, March 30, 2013

FRUITS and vegetables do not have a fixed price at the market because it fluctuates depending on the nature of the business.

And this has caused uproar with some loyal shoppers because of the increase in the price of imported apples and oranges at the Suva market

Fifty-one-year-old market vendor Bobby Chand said the prices of vegetables and fruits varied according to the foreign exchange in exported countries.

"I have also received complaints from customers regarding the price of fruits and vegetables," Mr Chand said.

He imports most of his produce from Australia and New Zealand but with the increase in foreign exchange and the present drought, he said supplies had been affected.

"I've had no choice but to increase my price of fruits and vegetables everyday — I can't help it," he said.

"With the current drought in New Zealand and a high foreign exchange in Australia, I've started importing apples, pears, oranges and vegetables from China.

"Why go for a costly product when you have China with the same product at a lower price."

Market vendor Gyan Iswar, 61, said her produce was from middlemen and farmers. Ms Iswar said times were hard and profits from her sales were used to support the family.