KINGSTON, Jamaica — Jamaicans may have to dig deeper into their pockets for one of Christmas’ most beloved staples, as vendors at the Coronation Market warn that sorrel could be both scarce and expensive this year.

The festive favourite, traditionally used to make the popular Christmas drink, would normally be making its way into the market by now. However, sorrel was nowhere in sight when Market Bag visited this week, raising concerns about its availability ahead of the holiday season.

With drought conditions continuing to affect agricultural production, vendors say shoppers could face higher prices this year.

“You might search the whole market and you don’t find it. If you do find it, it’s still gonna have a price,” one vendor warned. “Anytime things get scarce, the less it is, the more the price goes up so I won’t put a fixed price because I’m not sure as yet. But the point still remains: if you pay $1,500 last year, now we have the drought, it would be maybe about $2,000.”

Meanwhile, prices for other produce remain high at Coronation Market this week, with lettuce climbing to as much as $2,000 per pound and plantains selling for $3,000 per dozen. Ripe bananas were going for $1,000 per dozen, while tomatoes were priced at $500 per pound.

Sweet peppers were selling for $400 per pound and Scotch bonnet peppers for $600 per pound. Onions and Irish potatoes dipped to $250 per pound, while sweet potatoes increased slightly to $450 per pound.

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