Vegetable vendors at the Fugalei market in town have expressed concern at the lack of customers, saying the establishment of other markets within and outside Apia is impacting on their daily sales.

They claimed the markets that are impacting on their sales include the ones at Vaitele, Saleimoa and the Taufusi drive-through market. These include the roadside ones, normally set up residents.

A fruit vendor Lomeo Seva, who is a single father and sole bread winner of his family, told the Samoa Observer that his inability to sell his fruits has become a major issue for him and his son. 

“Ever since the other markets were established here and there, I barely get customers, which compels me to dislike seeing my son as I am not in a position to support him and his education," he said in an interview. 

Mr. Seva was selling different types of local fruits and his stall was filled with them when this newspaper visited his stall. The items included avocado, banana, orange, lemon, soursop, mango and tomato.

“Even in the season of fruits, I was always happy whenever it’s fruit-season because then I wouldn’t be tired of getting all the different fruits I grow at home to sell here. But now the customers are quickly vanishing from us.”

There were 10 other vendors at the Fugalei market who were also selling fruits with Mr. Seva saying they were facing similar challenges. 

“These (fruits) are gifts from God and we feel privileged to use them to earn for our families, especially my son, but all we need is vendors,” he added.