Prices of vegetables at city markets have hit the roof and the sole reason according to farmers and vendors on
Some of the vegetables that have attracted increased prices
Wednesday, is the May/June rainy weather.
Visiting the primary market areas in Georgetown, Guyana Times was told that prices for cabbages and tomatoes, which were previously sold between prices of $160 to $200 per pounds, have doubled, putting a strain on the pockets of consumers.
“Cabbage raise, tomatoes raise, almost everything raise. We used to sell cabbage and tomato for $160, $180, and $200 a pound, depends if it big or lil. Now we gat sell it for $360, $380, and $400,” a vendor at the Bourda Market highlighted.
While the costs of other vegetables have increased, the most significant prices were that of celery and eschalots. Vendors at Stabroek Market told this publication that these two seasonings which once held a cost of $160 per pound have recently been increased to $800 and $700 per pound, respectively.
“The greens that gone up the most is celery and eschalot. The other day we deh selling it for $160 a pound but now we ga sell it for $800 a pound for celery and $700 for eschalots,” a farmer identified as Harry voiced.
Many farmers and merchants held the rain responsible for the upsurge of vegetable costs, highlighting that large amount of crops have perished in the excessive rainfall, either by too much soil moisture or simply “drowning.” They also pointed out that the increases have been tough on their businesses, resulting in a reduced daily income.
“Uncle Sam”, a vendor of Bourda Market said “Rain falling too much and the water making the soil wet wet, the plants aint getting to grow properly cause they cant be in water all the time and other crops like the eschalots and suh, drowning cause the beds getting flood out. When we raise the price, business get hard. It really slow up and we losing yuh know, but is nah we fault.”
Meanwhile, when Guyana Times spoke to consumers at the various markets around the city, many complained of the exorbitant prices, describing it as “ridiculous” and “unnecessary.” Other patrons indicated that adequate time was given to the farmers to prepare, since the May/June rain is expected annually.
Speaking with this publication, one consumer, Shanice Betterford, expressed her dissatisfaction with the increased prices.
“They get enough time. Is only couple months a year the rain does fall like this. They aint know this gon happen? They aint catering for poor people. Geez, things like eschallot and tomato necessary. They raising prices for everything just because of lil rain. Like they nah gon mek it back when sun come out.” A number of customers complained of the prices and as witnessed by this publication, attempted to bargain with vendors for more reasonable prices.
However, since their grumbles did not alter the minds of many vendors and farmers, numerous patrons refused to patronise their businesses, opting to support the few merchants who were willing to negotiate.
