Prices of vegetables at the city markets have risen once again. Checks at Bourda and Stabroek Markets have revealed a dramatic rise in prices over a two-week period.
On March 13, Stabroek News carried a story pinpointing the low prices of vegetables owing to a glut on the market. Two weeks later, the glut appears to be over.
Pumpkins are no longer $100 each, but $100 for a slice that is less than a quarter of the whole vegetable. In some instances this vegetable costs as much as $240 per piece.
Tomatoes which retailed at $60 per pound are now being sold at between $120 and $140. One market vendor said that the price of tomatoes, which increased during the course of last week, is expected to rise again this week.
The prices of cabbage and okra have increased from $100 to $120 per pound. And while the cost of pak choy and thick leaf calaloo remain the same, there has been a reduction in the quantity per bundle.
Meanwhile, the price of bora remains at $200 but the quantity has reduced. At that price, consumers can now expect to get either two or three bundles.
The prices of ground provision have also seen an increase. Plantains and eddoes which were retailing between $60 and $80 have now reached $100 per pound. Yams are now being sold at a whopping $200 per pound. The price of cassava remains constant at $50 per pound.
With the increase in prices there has been a marked decline in the quantity that could be had for the same amount two weeks ago. The quality of vegetables has also suffered. Some of the vegetables seem to be weather beaten and are smaller in size.
The demand for vegetables will definitely be affected by these increases in prices and will only add to expenses faced by consumers.
