Fiji: short supply of vegetables result of rains, floods

Heavy rains and recent flooding that damaged farms in low-lying areas around the country have reduced the supply of vegetables.

Agriculture Ministry officials said last week's floods had drastically affected vegetable growing areas in the Northern and Western divisions. Acting agriculture technical officer Macuata, Shiu Raj said affected areas in the North included Korotari, Bulileka, Vunimoli and Vunicuicui.

Short supply ... Suliano Torogia, left and Petero Koroi of Naitasiri, with their limited supply of rourou, cassava and dalo at Suva Market yesterday

Markets in the two divisions reported a poor supply of vegetables and root crops, forcing prices up. "The quality of vegetables and root crops has deteriorated since farmers harvested crops affected by the flood," he said.

The ministry's MarketWatch newsletter said in Labasa Market vegetables like Chinese cabbage, long bean and cowpeas were selling from $2 to $2.50 a bundle. Dalo sold for $10-$12 a bundle while cassava fetched $3-$3.50 a heap.

Before the floods, dalo sold for $6-$8 while cassava was priced at $2 a heap. Mr Raj said the price of kava in Labasa was $40 per kg. A ministry survey of the Western Division showed the price English cabbage, tomatoes, lettuce and French bean had risen.

Chinese cabbage now sells for $1-$2.50 bundle, up from 50-cents-$1. English cabbage sells for $1.80-$4 kilogram. French beans cost $2-$3 kg. Vegetables like cucumbers, carrots and beans are in good supply. The vegetable supply is expected to improve in a few weeks. The ministry will help affected farmers by supplying seeds.

A Suva Market vendor from Nausori Village in Nalawa, Ra, said they had to harvest crops even when they were not ready because of the fear of it being damaged by rain and floods.

"We have strong sunshine and then heavy rain," she said. "This kind of weather is not good for crops. I've sold all the cassava that I harvested since it was a short supply. "Vegetables are frequently washed away by heavy rain and root crops decay quickly." Another vendor from Vanuakula, Naitasiri, Rosalia Lelekula said they lost income because of damaged crops.

"We only bring the dry crops to the market," she said. "Dalo, rourou and bananas are very much affected. We sell whatever produce we have since the supply of these crops has decreased."

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