KINGSTON, Jamaica — Lettuce is selling for as much as $1,800 per pound at the Coronation Market, adding to concerns that Jamaicans could face a pricey Christmas as drought conditions continue to squeeze agricultural production.

With the festive season fast approaching, vendors are keeping a close watch on the volume of produce entering the market amid expectations that demand will rise in the weeks leading up to Christmas.

At ‘Curry’ this week, ripe bananas were selling for $1,000 per dozen, while tomatoes and sweet peppers were priced at $500 per pound. Scotch bonnet peppers climbed to $600 per pound, while onions and Irish potatoes were going for approximately $300 per pound. Sweet potatoes were selling at $400 per pound.

The prices come as farmers continue to contend with drought conditions, which have affected crop production and led to concerns about the availability of local produce.

Market Bag host Carlysia Ramdeen spoke with vendors about potential supply challenges in the weeks leading up to Christmas.

“Mostly vegetables. Sweet potatoes, because mostly people bake in Christmas. Sweet potatoes,” one vendor shared.

“The foreign stuff dem like the onion and the Irish [potato], more likely sometimes it short…All gungo weh you know is Christmas product, doubt it. From last year, is a very few come in,” another vendor added.

One farmer said prices could remain relatively stable, although some increases may occur because of reduced production.

“To be honest, I’m expecting the price to remain the same or probably just a slight spike in increase based on the shortage of production so far, especially on the local goods. Like tomatoes, I think it will be in the market, string beans, cucumbers, and dem something deh…But for like mostly the ground provisions, I’m expecting a shortage of that,” he said.

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