At the Market - Vegetables: The Price of Lalo Rises, While Prices for Chili and Tomato Drop

At the market, tomatoes are selling for Rs 15 per half-kilo, while large chilies range between Rs 50 and Rs 60. In contrast, the price of lalo has surged, rising from Rs 250 last month to Rs 350 currently.

Currently, vegetables are abundant at the markets. Overall, the price trend is decreasing for most products. “Prices have fallen for most vegetables except lalo, which remains expensive. However, it's not in season, so there is less availability,” explains Dannysen Coopoosamy, a member of the Common Front of Traders of Mauritius. Sandesh Imrit, a vegetable seller at the central market in Port Louis, shares the same observation. For him, the situation is stable, but it will depend on the weather: “If the weather remains favorable, prices should continue to drop. Conversely, bad weather or water shortages could lead to an increase.”

Price Trends for Vegetables

Lalo, carrots, beans, calabash, and cabbage show rising prices, while lettuce, green and white cucumbers, tomatoes, and chili are decreasing in price.

A summary of the current prices:

• Tomatoes: Rs 15 to Rs 40 (best quality)
• Carrots: Rs 30 to Rs 40
• Beans: Rs 80
• Calabash: Rs 50
• Lettuce: Rs 10 to Rs 15
• Green Cucumber: Rs 20
• White Cucumber: Rs 35 to Rs 60
• Large Chili: Rs 50 to Rs 60
• Small Chili: Rs 280
• Brinjal: Rs 30
• Cabbage: Rs 40 to Rs 60
• Chayote: Rs 25 to Rs 30
• Pumpkin: Rs 15 to Rs 20
• Lalo: Rs 350
• Cauliflower: Rs 100 to Rs 125 (end of season)

Despite the high availability of vegetables, sales are slow,” notes Dannysen Coopoosamy. He points to the increasing competition from street vendors. “They sell everywhere, which disperses sales and works against us, the vegetable growers,” he laments.

*Prices are per half-kilo except for lettuce, cucumbers (white and green), cabbage, and cauliflower.

Source: The vegetable sellers.