As the country welcomes more tourists and people reunite with relatives in the festive season the cost of Samoa’s natural drink the niu has jumped from $4 to $10 for one at the local market. 

Members of the public found themselves scratching their head after being told by some vendors the cost of the coconuts range from $4 for the smallest and others sold for $6, $8 and $10.

Normally the highest price for a coconut before the festive season kicked in was $5 for a big one and $2 to $3 for a small one.  

While most locals turned away from what they described as “ridiculous cost” of the natural juice some tourists didn’t mind paying the extra tala so they can have a taste of Samoa. 

Although there is no recorded proof there is a shortage of coconut on the island some vendors at the Fugalei Market say they know the real reason behind the price hike around this time. 

Instead of collecting their own coconuts to sell, some vendors buy coconuts in bulk from other stall owners and resell them double the price they paid. 

“I know some of the vendors selling the coconuts at that ridiculous price and they don’t actually own it,” said an elderly woman at the Fugalei Market that sells pawpaw and other fruits. 

“Those sellers didn’t climb the coconut tree to get their coconuts they actually bought it from other vendors at the normal price of $4 tala on wards and they resell them at $8 tala upwards so they can make double profit. 

“They do the same with the taro and other produces here at the market…they buy them from others for cheaper price and then resell them again twice the price they got it.” 

The stall owners at the Fugalei Market said they feel sorry for people that just want to have a cold coconut and come to the market only to be told a ridiculous price. 

“People have the choice to buy it or not,” said one stall owner. 

“But there is a difference between making profit and being greedy. 

“These vendors trying to rob our own people by doubling their profit are no good for business and are giving all of us at the market a bad name and something should be done about it.” 

A few of the coconut vendors approached by the Samoa Observer about the cost of their coconuts were hesitant to comment. 

The vendors claim they are only trying to make a living and are not forcing people to buy from them.