KINGSTON, Jamaica — Jamaican consumers are adjusting their budgets as food prices remain high amid ongoing drought conditions affecting agricultural production across the island.

At the Coronation Market this week, lettuce is being sold for $1,200 per pound, while ripe bananas are going for $1,000 per dozen. Tomatoes and sweet peppers are selling for $500 per pound, while Scotch bonnet peppers are priced at $400 per pound. Onions, sweet potatoes and Irish potatoes are also selling for approximately $400 per pound, while escallion is going for $350.

Speaking with Market Bag host Carlysia Ramdeen, shoppers said the rising prices have forced them to be more selective about what they purchase.

“I buy the necessary things,” one shopper said when asked how she has adjusted to the increased cost of food.

“It’s a little expensive, but what can we do?” another shopper said. “We just have to minimise what we use and what we spend.”

Meanwhile, one vendor attributed the high prices and reduced availability of several items to the prolonged dry conditions and lack of water for farmers.

“Market so short right now because [there] is no water, so if we did have enough water to maintain the produce, we could have a lot of stuff in the market,” the vendor said.

“So many things are short like Irish potato, sweet potato, pumpkin, sweet pepper, hot pepper. Thyme [is] very dear too because thyme is $2,000 per pound. So most of the prices gone up now because of the drought,” the vendor added.

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