Prices of vegetables in various markets are expected to increase from early next week due to the extreme weather conditions.

Deputy Permanent Secretary for Agriculture, Uraia Waibuta says this is due to the vegetables and root crops being destroyed by the recent flood waters.

Waibuta says the increase in price and shortage of vegetables and root crops will last for a month or more.

“Sure shortage of vegetables will be realized immediately within this week and next week but all those matured crops on the ground especially cassava and dalo that people were looking forward to harvesting for Christmas and getting it into the market but some of those matured crops because of the stagnant water had totally been destroyed and this is something that we really have to confirm once our people have returned from the field.”

Waibuta says they are now collaborating with Commissioner Central and West to locate all the damages to food crops and focus on the areas that needs more attention than others.