By Elgin Taylor, STAR Writer

lluidas vale, st. catherine

Shopping in the Linstead Market this season should be very expensive.

With just under two weeks to go before Christmas, the prices of some food provisions in the market have been hiked. A STAR news team visited the market over the weekend a quart of red peas was being sold for $160 per quart and tomatoes for $100 per lb.

Vendors say while red peas were at that price for some time now, vegetables like tomatoes have become expensive because of the excess rainfall.

Janet Reid, a vendor for 12 years, said it was only a matter of time before the prices of other vegetables follow suit because of the 'watery season.'

Another vendor, Hazel Brown, 57, said the price of sweet peppers has gone up from $50 per lb a week ago, to $100.

Cheap expectation

Other prices hiked include that of onions, up from $30 and $40 to $60 per pound, and fresh-water fish for $120 per lb., up from $75. One vendor said she expects the prices to fall in the last three shopping days leading up to Christmas.

On the other hand, yam is being sold at $25 and $30 per lb., so too is carrot, fetching $50 per lb.

Food and clothing vendors have reported slow sales. However, elsewhere in the town, bookstores and pharmacies reported an increase in the sale of beauty products and gift items.