Fruits and vegetables market seeing reduced prices, says agriculture ministry

The Ministry of Agriculture is reporting that the fruits and vegetables market has shown signs of stabilising, with prices coming down.

According to the Ministry, the market recorded a reduction of approximately 17% in October.

Of the 31 fruit and vegetable prices analysed between August and October of this year, 18 reflected a reduction, said the Ministry.

The agriculture ministry said among the commodities with notable reductions are salad tomato, moving from J$1,090/kg to J$440/kg, resulting in a 61% price change, and green sweet pepper, moving from J$1,232/kg to J$660/kg, resulting in a 46% price change.

While there was a 21% decrease in carrot and green cabbage prices, other commodities such as string beans, okra and pumpkins all experienced marginal reductions in prices, the agriculture ministry added.

The Ministry credits the decline in prices to its targeted interventions, the resilient farmers and other stakeholders, which have facilitated increased levels of production, particularly in parishes which would have suffered significant damage due to Hurricane Beryl, notably Portland, St Thomas, St Catherine, Clarendon, Manchester, St Elizabeth and Westmoreland.

It said this is expected to continue leading into the festive season barring any unforeseen weather phenomenon.

“The increased production levels are a result of the support being provided through the Ministry, in which over 10,000 packs of assorted seeds, to include cabbage, carrots, tomatoes, etc, have been distributed to farmers along with the provision of other inputs such as fertilisers, chemicals, and land preparation subsidy (for tractor services), that assist with cushioning production cost.”

Meanwhile, the Ministry pointed out that it facilitated the distribution of feed, broiler chicks and pullets, vitamins and other inputs to poultry farmers to facilitate a resurgence of the poultry sector.

Additionally, the two major poultry companies have ramped up production of broiler chicks and ready-to-lay pullets, it noted.

“The supply of these birds to farmers have already started with expectations pointing to an increase in production in the coming weeks to help in satisfying consumer needs for Christmas.”

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