Sales at Laqere Market in Nasinu have experienced a slight dip this year compared to previous years. Vendor Jijilia Cavora, who has been selling at the market for many years, notes that sales tend to be slow during weekdays, with activity only picking up during the weekends.
Cavora highlights a challenge for vendors due to suppliers purchasing produce directly from farmers at their homes, subsequently raising prices before reselling to the market vendors. This inflationary trend necessitates that vendors increase their prices as well. Cavora remarked, “Sales this year were not as strong as in the past five years since the Laqere market opened for service. We had to do whatever it took to maintain our sales while also meeting customer demands.”
In line with rising prices, Shital Sivan Sharma, owner of Nitish Kava Stall, reports ongoing hikes in kava prices due to limited supply struggling to keep pace with demand. “The kava we previously bought for $80 to $100 is now priced at $120 to $130. Sometimes our buying price is $130, and we have to go beyond that,” shared Sharma.
For Sairusi Tokatokavanua, a five-year veteran vendor, the market serves as vital support for his family. He expressed, “The prices of goods in the market will continue to rise due to various factors related to our daily lives. We cannot expect prices of items in supermarkets to increase while market prices remain stable. For me personally, what I gain from here greatly supports my family’s daily living.”
Despite sales challenges and rising prices, market vendors held a Christmas party recently, filled with optimism for a more prosperous year in 2026. Their resilient spirit and commitment to adapting to ongoing challenges offer hope for a vibrant future at Laqere Market.
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