Edmond Campbell, Senior News Coordinator

Thousands of shoppers converged on Coronation Market, one of the largest business centres in downtown Kingston, yesterday, creating a virtual gridlock on every road in the immediate vicinity of the market, in a rush to stock up on provisions for the long Christmas weekend.

It was a day when most sellers raked in handsome returns from their sales, while shoppers were left complaining bitterly about the sharpe rise in the price of food items.

From as early as 6:30 a.m. motorists heading towards Coronation Market experienced long delays as the parking facilities near the market were filled to capacity, resulting in long lines of traffic on Spanish Town Road, Darling Street, Pechon Street, and several other roads in the area. Several motorists told The Sunday Gleaner that they were trapped in traffic for more than an hour on Darling Street, which runs alongside the market.

One vendor said yesterday's crowd at the market dwarfed the turnout in previous years. With the exception of one seller, all vendors interviewed by The Sunday Gleaner reported that business was upbeat.

Vivica, who has been selling at Coronation for more than 30 years, said she had an excellent day. And with customers flocking her stall, she had little time to give an interview, but admitted that prices had increased significantly.

Shoppers had to dig deep into their pockets to purchase gungo peas, a favourite for most Jamaicans at Christmas.

Vivica explained that the price had moved from $250 per quart, before the Christmas weekend to between $400 and $500 per quart. Sorrel, a must-buy for many Jamaicans at this time of the year moved from $60 per pound to $100. Sandra, a disgruntled shopper, says the prices at the market were too expensive. "Yuh nuh see mi market money a dun. Mi head, dizzy, mi head a hurt mi," she said.

Cash crops doubled

Ms. Watson, another shopper, says the price of ground provision and cash crops, had, in some instances, doubled. She said there was no need for vendors to hike their prices because it was Christmas.

A young man yelling, "Belts, all kind of belts," was obviously having a good day in the market, as he made several sales. 'Beltface', the name he uses while selling, reported that business was good.

"Give God thanks! Happy Christmas!" he said.

Paulette, who has been selling at the market for more than 15 years, said her prices remained "normal": "Mi nuh put on anything, anybody who a put on price, them wicked. Yu nuh see how mi sell out."

One coconut vendor we interviewed was the only seller who said he was having a bad day. "Business bad," he remarked, adding, "It is expensive to carry things to the market."

The Central Bank estimates that total money in circulation will peak at $43 billion at the height of the holiday shopping.