The cost of food in Fiji is expected to rise again following devastating floods that have washed away crops and covered farmland in silt, gravel and debris.
Flooding before Easter and in January on the main island of Viti Levu is responsible for at least 12 deaths and has caused destruction in many parts of the Western Division.
Damage to non-sugar crops is estimated at almost 10 million US dollars but the National Disaster Management director says produce from elsewhere in Fiji will ensure there's enough food to go round.
But Pajiliai Dobui says people will have to pay more.
"All the crops that were lost in the January flood, no recovery yet, because the crop that should have provided the market for now has already been wiped out. So that is a big challenge: we have to replant again."
Pajiliai Dobui says the interim government is working out how to assist farmers to recover immediately from the latest floods.
