Vendors say cost of produce doubling in some cases, making it difficult to earn a living

The scarcity of local produce, international conflicts and the high cost of fruits and vegetables are having a detrimental impact on the vending community.

Several vendors who ply their trade at the Cheapside Public Market in The City told Barbados TODAY on Wednesday that if those factors persist, they could be out of business.

They explained that the scarcity of local produce resulted in them having fewer items on their trays. Those who could afford it, they said, had to rely heavily on imported fruits and vegetables. As for locally produced foods that are available, they said the shortages have pushed up prices significantly.

The vendors reported that customers were not pleased about the unavailability of certain food nor about the increased prices. In fact, they said consumers were so upset that they were verbally aggressive, creating a hostile work environment.

Angela Greene, a vendor with more than 30 years of experience, said this was the worst she had ever been impacted by local food shortages.

“I only come out three days a week now. I used to work five days but I have nothing in my tray to sell. Everything is scarce, all the herbs scarce, even sweet potatoes and English potatoes you are not seeing now. The farmers say they had problems with the weather. It was the drought and then in the rainy season we had another drought, so the rains are now coming in. And now that it coming, it coming so much that it killing the crops cause some of the crops will be underwater. So things short already and for Christmas, it will be shorter,” she said.

Greene gave a breakdown of the local produce that was scarce and the new prices they are retailing at per pound: Chives are selling at $7 or $8 and as much as $10. Before, consumers would buy them at $3 to $5;

Parsley and thyme were now being sold at $20 and $40, respectively, when they were previously sold for $5 to $8 and $10 to $15. Sweet potatoes, once selling at $2, are now going at $7.

Christophine is now sold at $10, a $5 increase while beans are being sold for double the price at $12.

Sweet peppers are selling at $7 when they were $4 or $5 before and okras are now being sold at $8 or $10 when they were sold before at $2.

There was also a scarcity of soursop, golden apples, avocados, butternut squash, carrots, onions, plantain, bananas, lettuce and tomatoes.

Greene said consumers were complaining bitterly.

“They are crying out, some are even cursing you as if it is our fault. If I was not a strong-minded person, I wouldn’t be able to deal with it; I would be crying for many days,” she said.

Greene said they have had to find strategic ways to maintain sales for now.

“Honestly, we can’t move from the price mark as the buying price is really close, so much so that when you look at it we are only making a dollar or two. So what I do is break down the amount to suit the consumer’s pocket. If you can’t buy a pound, buy half or I would package out certain things like the parsley and chives and sell per bag,” she said.

Longtime vendor Pat Harewood also complained about the increased cost of imported produce. She explained that her bill has doubled.

“I don’t know if the consumers are not aware of what is going on overseas or if they are pretending not to know but they are putting pressure on you. By the time I try to parcel out things in a bag and sell, I am not making a profit, only enough to buy back what I need.

“But they got to be aware that the wars were carrying up prices. For example, I used to buy X amount of fruits and vegetables and my bill would be between $500 and $600. Then it went to $700 and now it is $1 200 and I am buying the same quantities,” Harewood said.

She added that she was getting ground provisions such as yam and sweet potatoes from neighbouring islands as well as dried coconuts because she was unable to source them here.

Nadine Prince said the attitudes of people were starting to affect her and she was considering whether or not she should get out of vending.

“Both the local and imported food is very expensive and when the customers come they say we are killing them. They curse me and I don’t react, I just let them go along. I get a lot of cursing and disrespect out here. Yet, when they go into the supermarket and buy the food, they don’t carry along those people like that. It is very bad; very hostile. Sometimes I tell myself I want to come out of the vending business and I am looking at a plan B because you get a lot of disrespect in this business from patrons,” said Prince.

sheriabrathwaite@barbadostoday.bb