Pineapple vendors fill market

 By ZACHERY PER

PINEAPPLE is in season in Eastern Highlands with the Goroka main market flooded with vendors and farmers selling the popular fruit.

Gahuku local level government officials who look after the market said they ran out of space for the pineapple growers at the market.

Former local level government president Alex Niviha said they had to allow them to use part of the car park.

Pineapple farmer Haiyufa Ani of Sigere in Upper Bena, Ungai-Bena district was selling the fruits with her daughter and friends.

“My family planted one hectare of pineapple which is harvested in December, January and February,” Ani said. 

“We bring them into the market on trucks and sell them for K2, K3, K4 and K5 each depending on the size.

She said they could make up to K70 a day if there were many farmers and up to K200 per day if there were less.

“Our land is fertile and convenient for pineapple growing, and here are several other pineapple growers in Bena bringing it to town to sell.”