Shortage in the supply of vegetables to the market is the reason for the high prices of vegetables, according to vendors.

Local produce at the markets has been priced on the high end. According to suppliers and farmers, the retail markup is not their doing but the vendors.

Vaaiga Leatupue from Tufulele has been a vegetable vendor for more than 30 years. She said the prices of local vegetables increase because they do not have ample supply.

She claimed that otherwise, vegetables are sold at a fair price.

Diana Paulo echoed the same reaction. She said the high price represents the supply.

"It's not easy to grow these produce and I hope people would understand when the prices go up," Mrs Paulo said.

Cucumber is being sold at $10 for three and tomatoes are $20 a packet.

Meanwhile, the latest market survey by the Samoa Bureau of Statistics showed that the supply of produce had dropped. The survey results are for September.

The volume of taro supplied to the local markets in September 2024 decreased by 14 per cent (to 5,781 kilograms) from August 2024 and also increased by 57 per cent from September 2023. The average price of taro increased by eight per cent due to high demand. In comparison to September 2023, the average price of taro rose by three per cent.

The supply of bananas to the local markets in September 2024 decreased by two per cent (to 1,282 kilograms) from August 2024 while its average price went up by 18 per cent (to $2.58 per kilogram). When compared to the same month last year, the current supply went down by 40 per cent and the average price of bananas rose by 19 per cent.

At an average of 874 kilograms, ta’amu supplied to the markets in September 2024 decreased by four per cent from the previous month whereas its average price rose by 16 per cent (to $7.05 per kilogram). In comparison to the same month last year, the supply of ta’amu doubled while its average price decreased by 50 per cent.

Coconut supplies at 5,330 kilograms decreased by five per cent from August 2024.

The breadfruit supply in September 2024 fell by 70 per cent (to 110 kilograms) from the previous month, while its average price rose by 88 per cent (to $3.33 per kilogram).