Chiriqui deluge rockets vegetable prices

Heavy rains in Chiriqui, the source of 80% of vegetables sold in the Panama Merca have caused shortages and price surges as high 100%

The agricultural market on the access road to the Centennial Bridge, the cost of some vegetables and legumes has gone up by 20% in the last three days, said Yoris Morales, president of the Association of Agricultural Producers and Marketers of Merca Panama.

The constant rains registered in production areas of the Chiriqui highlands have reduced the supply of lettuce, tomatoes, chayote, cucumber, cabbage and onions in Merca Panama, says Morales.

It has been raining every day but on Monday the rain lasted more than 10 hours.causing   rivers to flood and affecting agricultural areas.

Red lettuce went from 80 cents per pound to $1.25 per pound, at the wholesale price. While romaine lettuce, a consumer favorite, rose from $1,00 to $1.50 a pound.

The chayote unit that was quoted at 12 cents is now at 20 cents, while the cucumber is quoted at 25 cents per pound, 13 cents more than what was set a week ago.

A pound of cabbage went from 30 cents to 60 cents. And this has been the escalation of several products.

If the rains continue in the Chiriqui producing areas, a greater shortage of products and a decrease in available vegetables are predicted, Morales warns.

Augusto Jiménez, a member of the Association of the Highlands Production Community, warned that the rains of the last days have affected lettuce, broccoli and potato crops.

In the absence of sunlight, plants do not develop the process of photosynthesis. The leaves of the lettuce do not develop and moisture increases the attack of pests.