Demand by oil sector could be keeping tomato prices high

While prices for vegetables at the Bourda Market have remained steady between July 12th  and August 17th based on checks done by Stabroek News, tomatoes continue to fetch a premium rate and there could be  a link to the oil and gas industry.

The tomato price was also high at the Stabroek Market and the one supermarket this newspaper checked.

Tricia, a Stabroek Market vendor told this newspaper on August 4th that she customarily bought tomatoes for $500 or $600 per pound and sold at a $100 markup.  However, she said that the farmers had raised their prices  and she considered herself lucky to be able to sell her tomatoes at $700 per pound since she was able to source some cheaper from one farmer. Purchasing from her wholesaler would have required her to sell her tomatoes at $800 per pound.