Market Bag: Bananas for $1,600 amid higher prices, fewer shoppers at Mandeville Market
MANCHESTER, Jamaica — Banana is selling for as much as $1,600 per dozen at the Mandeville Market this week, with vendors reporting fewer shoppers as rising prices squeeze consumer budgets.
Among the more expensive produce are onion at $500 per pound, sweet pepper ($500), yellow yam ($600), and ginger ($800). More affordable options in Manchester include scotch bonnet pepper ($200), tomato ($150), and Irish potato ($200).
Speaking with host Carlysia Ramdeen, one vendor said business has slowed significantly.
“The people dem have no money. The turnout is very poor and the things dem is very short now…scarce,” she said. “Prices alright is just because of the short supply of the goods [and] everybody turn to the farming now so instead of dem fi come and buy, dem have dem own.”
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Market Bag host Carlysia Ramdeen and a vendor in the Mandeville Market. (Photo: Gavin Jones)
Fresh produce in the Mandeville Market in Manchester. (Photo: Gavin Jones)
