Food Access Situation in Haiti

Where do people living in Haiti buy household goods and food?
First, people in Haiti buy household goods and food at local markets. Leogane, our project site, also has markets. The number of goods are limited, however, items needed for daily lives such as vegetables and meat are available at these markets. People need to watch out when they buy products, since food tend to be sold at poor hygiene sites at most markets.

【Vegetables and fruits being sold next to wastes or muddy water (at a local market).】



Second, a lot of people from other countries buy groceries at supermarkets around the national capital. Most products here are sold at high prices since they are imported from countries such as the U.S. and the Dominican Republic. Dairy products are especially expensive: a pack of milk costs more than 120 HTG (about 250 JPY) and a dozen of eggs cost more than 250 HTG (about 530 JPY). Vegetables grown in Haiti are inexpensive, however, imported vegetables are seemingly more expensive than those sold in Japan.

【A Chinese cabbage bought at a supermarket: 209 HTG (about 440 JPY.】



【Carrots bought at a supermarket: 113 HTG (about 240 JPY).】

In Haiti, infrastructures such as electricity and running water are poor. In order to maintain the same living standard as in Japan, with a house, electricity, internet access, running water and so on, you need to pay more than you would in Japan.