-prices for fruits, meat vary

MARKET prices for some vegetables, fruits and meat products appear to be returning to a more affordable cost.

The Guyana Chronicle, on Sunday morning, visited the markets at Mon Repos, Bourda and Stabroek, where vendors confirmed the decrease and increase in prices for some fruits and vegetables.

The price for a large bundle of bora varied from $200- $500, while the price for a piece of pumpkin varied from $340 to $460. Tomatoes were priced at $200 per pound, while two cucumbers were being sold for $100.

Meanwhile, high-valued vegetables such has broccoli and ‘purple’ cabbage were both priced at $1600 per pound.

Vendors usually set their prices based on how much they paid for the goods. Other factors are sometimes taken into consideration.

Fruits on the other hand, were priced at a more reasonable cost with bananas being sold at $380 per pound. A parcel of five small apples were being sold for $500, while the price of grapes varied from $1000-$1200 per pound.

Meat prices, however, appeared to have increased with chicken being sold at different prices.

Some stalls had chicken priced at $480 per pound, while others went as high as $600. Mince beef was priced at $800 per pound, while regular beef was priced at $900.

A tray of eggs was priced at $1200-$1500.

Salt fish was being sold at $1000 per pound, while a parcel of fresh trout and small bangamary was priced at $2000.

In a recent report, the Guyana Marketing Corporation stated that consumers can look forward to seeing commodities being sold at more stable prices as farmers are expected to experience more favourable weather condition in the coming months, which is expected to inspire increased production.

In addition to that, the report noted that food production in Guyana will continue to attract further investments in 2023 that will improve overall productivity in the sector.

In September 2022, President, Dr. Irfaan Ali, announced that Guyana and the rest of the Caribbean will benefit from a US$28 million investment from the United States (US) Government that will support increased food production and agriculture development in the region.

Food security continues to be a paramount policy initiative for the Government of Guyana, which holds lead responsibility for agriculture, agricultural diversification, and food security in CARICOM, and is spearheading the regional body’s quest to reduce its food-import bill; this is an action that requires each state achieving a reduction in food-import of 25 per cent by 2025.