Local farmers have the chance to provide for hotels

Local farmers now have the chance to step up and provide for hotels and other business that import vegetables after government's decision to increase the duty band on imported vegetables.

Fijivillage spoke to some farmers at the Suva Market this morning and most have welcomed the move to increase the duty band from 5 to 15 percent as it will mean more sales for them as prices of imported vegetables will increase.

However considering that most hotel operators import vegetables due to the quality demand of their customers, farmers we spoke to say that they can meet the demand for quantity and quality of vegetables with the help of government in terms of farming equipment and fertilizers.

We also took a look at the current prices of some imported vegetables around some leading supermarkets, and as of today, some imported vegetables were being sold as high as $28/kilo.

Green Capsicum was being sold at $24.75/kilo while Red Capsicum was being sold at $28.59/kilo, and these prices are expected to increase.

Meanwhile some of the major supermarkets we talked to this morning said that they will need more time to look at the decision and how it will affect their supply and the prices of imported vegetables before commenting.

Agriculture minister, Joketani Cokanasiga yesterday stated that this incentive is to assist the farmers.

Story by: Ana Naisoro & Watisoni Butabua