Maraia Nadike sells pastries at the Suva market. Picture: WATA SHAW
Entrepreneurs who survive off the sale of pastries and food which use flour, say the recent price rise is affecting their earnings.
Suva bus stand kiosk operators said they had to consider the buying power of their customers against the rising cost of key ingredients — flour and sugar.
Maraia Nadike, who sells pies and pudding every morning, said many would soon have to increase the prices of their products but were concerned on how it would impact on sales.
“Before, we used to buy two 10kg flour bags for $30 but that has now increased to $33 or $34,” she said.
“We use flour to bake our pies and rotis so we depend heavily on flour to make our money.
“The price of flour and sugar all increased compared to last year and it’s been tough on many who work in small businesses such as mine.
“We may have to reduce how much we bake and sell if the price of flour keeps increasing.
“It’s the poor people who will suffer and are the most vulnerable to price increase.”
She said more needed to be done by those in authority to subsidise the prices of basic food items.
“How much do we need to suffer before someone does something about it.”
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Copyright © 2022 Fiji Times Limited. All Rights Reserved.