Market Bag: Sweet pepper up to $1,500 as vendors predict more price spikes
KINGSTON, Jamaica — Food prices continue to climb following what Agriculture Minister Floyd Green has described as a devastating blow to the sector.
On Tuesday, Green revealed that Hurricane Melissa had heavily impacted the agriculture sector costing $29.5 billion in losses.
In this week’s Market Bag, host Brittania Witter returns to the Coronation Market in downtown Kingston where buyers shared their frustration with heightened prices.
Among the items attracting higher prices this week are sweet pepper and hot pepper, which is being sold for $1,500 a pound; escallion, which is being sold for $1000-$1,500 a pound; thyme, going for $1,200 a pound; and tomatoes, going for $400-$500 per pound.
Vendors say the prices are expected to get even higher as the Christmas season approaches.
