High fuel prices has increased the prices in the market while farmers leaving Fiji has increased demand – Suva market vendor

Suva market vendor Seremasi Baravi says the inflation in fuel prices has contributed to the increase in the prices of produce and crops in our market.

Baravi highlighted this after customers raised concerns regarding the increase in the prices of crops across Fiji during the festive season saying this is also due to the rising number of farmers leaving the country.

He says with the increase in demand, vendors are opting to buy crops from farmers in the maritime islands.

Baravi who has been selling at the Suva Market for 34 years says the other reason why the demand is high is that there are fewer farmers to plant our crops to meet the demand at stake.

He says with the number of people moving overseas to find employment, the rest of their family members need to work harder instead of relaxing at home and relying on the remittances.

Baravi says the Ministry of Agriculture should support the farmers because taxpayers suffer.

He adds they need to set up a plan to facilitate the demand in our markets rather than facilitating the overseas markets because the Government is not suffering, the people are.