A 40-FOOT container load of imported vegetables is expected to arrive in the island early next month, to compensate for the shortfall of local produce in the aftermath of Hurricane Ivan.
The vegetables are being imported by the Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS) and the agency's Central Marketing Company will be responsible for distributing the produce to retailers.
JAS president, Senator Norman Grant, told JIS News that while the organisation would be moving swiftly to provide relief supplies to farmers for the rehabilitation of the sector, the JAS had to import produce at this time to make up for the shortfall.
In terms of the cost to customers, he said, there should be a 'trickle down effect' to the public, as "the benefits (prices) will be passed on to consumers and farmers." He emphasised that it was important for consumers to pay close attention to the pricing recommendations that will be publicised by the Ministry of Commerce, Science and Technology.
