BETELNUT chewers in Gizo, the provincial capital of the Western Province, are facing a significant financial squeeze as the seasonal betel-nut shortage currently experienced drives prices to a record high.
Over the past months since the early Christmas festive and prior to new year, the cost of betel nut has skyrocketed across the province and the country, with prices in both urban centers like Honiara, Auki, Gizo, Noro and Munda experiencing a dramatic increase.
Normally priced between $2 and $3 per fruit, betelnut is now selling for a staggering $5 to $10 per fruit, putting a strain on the budgets of regular chewers.
“We are experiencing a high shortage, which often occurs at this time of year,” a local vendor from Buni Tree KHY Francis Niru told the Solomon Star.
“The scarcity of betelnut started in early December [2024],’’ he said.
While the impact is felt nationwide, the shortage has particularly affected major suppliers like the Western, Guadalcanal, Malaita and Isabel provinces, which provide a significant portion of betelnut supplies to Honiara and Gizo.
For Gizo, its betelnut suppliers are Vella, Kolombangara, Rannogah and Simbo.
However, Vella has been the major supplier.
Despite the increased cost, the demand for betelnut remains high, reflecting its deep cultural significance in Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea’s (PNG’s) autonomous region of Bougainville and PNG itself share the same cultural practices of chewing betelnut.
“Chewers are still sparing coins for a betelnut two to three each day,” Mr Niru said, highlighting the fruit’s enduring popularity.
While the price hike presents challenges for consumers, it has also created unexpected opportunities for some vendors.
“Increasing the cost by a dollar or two or three is actually gaining me a good profit and the same goes with other struggling betelnut vendors despite this low supply period,” Niru said.
Another betelnut vendor Lamukera Keva said the price of one bunch of betelnut that was normally sold around $20 to $50 has increased to around $80 to $100 and interestingly a bunch of betel nut has lesser fruits than before.
‘’The same goes to 10 kg bag betelnut. A 20kg bag now costs around the price range of $150 to $500,’’ Mr Keva said.
‘’The main suppliers have increased their markup up due to the seasonal scarcity and high cost of freight and passenger fare.
‘’These aren’t same no more. But it’s normal when there is surge in demand during seasonal scarcity of betelnut fruits.
‘’The rise in the prices of fuel, plus the high cost of living influence the price hike that occurs every year,’’ he added.
Betelnut vendors in New Mandra and Titiana and as far as Western Gizo place their prices for a betelnut fruit from $5 to $15.
Some even cut big betelnut fruits into halves and sell a half along with a mustard fruit and lime for $3 to $7.
But the good news for betelnut chewers is that the current betelnut shortage is expected to ease in February and prices will return to normal.
“Our betelnut farms are currently experiencing a high seasonal low yield, which often occurs from December to February annually,” a local betelnut grower from Vella said.
By ULUTAH GINA
Solomon Star, Gizo
