KINGSTON, Jamaica — Shoppers at Coronation Market are feeling the pinch as rising food prices will force many households to scale back on their purchases this week.

The price increases come as Jamaica continues to grapple with worsening drought conditions, which have affected agricultural production and contributed to higher prices for some locally grown produce.

Among the more expensive items are sweet peppers at $600, lettuce at $1,200, tomatoes at $400, pumpkin at $400, thyme at $1,000 per pound and ripe bananas at $1,000 per dozen.

Regular shopper Kevin Thompson told Market Bag host Carlysia Ramdeen that he walks around the market before making his purchases in an effort to find the best deals.

Thompson said the rising prices have also forced his household to reduce the amount of produce purchased at a time.

“Instead of buying the regular amount, it made us have to cut back a little because we realised that this week the prices are really skyrocketing. So, instead of getting like two pounds, we have to get one pound, or even as much as half a pound,” he said.

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