George Henry, Gleaner Writer
These two farmers remove weed from their field of scallion in Munro, St. Elizabeth. - GEORGE HENRY PHOTO
MALVERN, St. Elizabeth:
A DROUGHT now affecting sections of St. Elizabeth has resulted in a shortage of scallion in the markets.
Vendors who sell in the Christiana and Spaldings markets in Manchester and Clarendon respectively say they have been unable to source an adequate supply of the condiment to sell to their customers in recent weeks due to the dry spell affecting the farmers in the scallion producing areas of New Forest, Southfield and Flagaman.
Annette Brown, who normally sells close to 200 pounds of scallion in the Christiana facility, noted that last weekend she was able to get just over a 100 pounds. Furthermore, she said they were not of the usual quality.
The shortage was evident when Farmers Weekly checked with several farms in the parish. Wayne Elliott who cultivates the crop said the lack of rainfall has significantly affected his crop. "A drought currently exists and it has been affecting several crops including scallion," said Mr. Elliott, who pointed out that he has been forced to purchase water from private sources for up to $6,500 for a 4000 gallon load.
LACK OF RAINFALL
He, however, noted that he pays about $4,000 for the same amount from the Rapid Response Unit.
Mr. Elliott added that the lack of rainfall has caused a reduction in the size of scallion. He said the produce is currently sold at a farm gate price of $100 per pound, but said some vendors were reluctant to pay that price despite them selling it back for $200 per pound in the market. He said farmers are offered as low as $7 per pound when there is a normal supply.
