10/12/2025
GROCERY SHOPS IN POM ARE MAKING 100-200% PROFITS FRESH VEGETABLES AT THE EXPENSES OF FARMERS AND SUPPLIERS IN THE HIGHLANDS WHILE FARMERS AND SUPPLIERS ARE FORCED OUT OF BUSINESS.
HERE IS WHAT GROCERY SHOPS OR SUPERMARKETS DO TO FORCE FARMERS AND SUPPLIERS OUT OF THE SME CYCLE:
FOR EXAMPLE - BROCCOLI AIRFREIGHTED TO POM AND DELIVERED TO CUSTOMERS RECEIVING ENDS/DOORSTEP IS PAID K14.00 PER KILOGRAM.
CUSTOMERS (GROCERY SHOPS/MALLS) DONT JUST PURCHASE FROM FARMERS AND SUPPLIERS AT THE ABOVE PRICE STRAIGHT AWAY BUT CUSTOMERS CAREFULLY CARRY OUT WHAT THEY CALL AS "QUALITY CHECKS". DURING WHICH TIME THE CUSTOMERS DO THE FOLLOWING AS IF THESE VEGETABLES HAVE REACHED THEIR LOCATION SO EASILY.
CUSTOMERS/GROCERY SHOPS AND MALLS;
1. TAKE WEIGHTS OF ALL PACKAGING MATERIALS (1-2KG PER PACKAGE).
2. TAKE OUT WEIGHTS OF DAMAGED, BROKEN, IRRITATED LEAVES OR SKINS OF VEGETABLES AT WHICH STAGE A THOROUGH TRIMMING IS CARRIED OUT.
3. THEN THEY PAY ONLY TO TOP QUALITY VEGETABLES.
4. STORE AWAY THESE WELL TRIMMED VEGETABLES AND RESELL THEM IN THEIR GROCERY SHOPS AT K28.00 TO K32.00/KG.
WHILE THEY EFFORTLESSLY AND ENJOY MAKING MASSIVE PROFITS; THEY IGNORE THE FARMER'S HARDSHIPS, DIFFICULTIES AND RISKS ENCOUNTERED TO BRING THESE VEGETABLES AT THE CUSTOMERS' DOORSTEPS.
1. HARVESTING/PACKAGING FRAGILE VEGETABLES.
2. TRANSPORTATION ISSUES.
3. HIGH TRAVEL RISKS
4. AIRPORT HANDLING DAMAGES
5. PACKAGING MATERIAL COSTS.
6. CUSTOMERS DO NOT SHARE IN ANY POSSIBLE RISKS WHICH IS UNFAIR AT ITS BEST.
VEGETABLE FARMERS OR SUPPLIERS HAD TO ACCOMMODATE THESE ISSUES WHEN HANDLING EVERY CUSTOMER ORDERS.
MANY FARMERS AND SUPPLIERS IN THE HIGHLANDS HAVE LOST SO MUCH ALREADY AND EITHER THEY ARE FORCED OUT BUSINESS OR STILL KICKING.
IF THE GOVERNMENT IS CONCERNED ABOUT CREATING NUMEROUS SMES AND MILLIONAIRES IN PNG, A RELEVANT GOVERNMENT AUTHORITY SHOULD INTERVENE AND STRATEGIZE A WORKABLE PROCESS WHERE BOTH PARTIES TO SHARE FAIRLY IN BOTH LOSES AND BENEFITS.
