DILI, december 23, 2022 (TATOLI) – A trader from Timor, Etelvina Pinto invites all consumers to buy nutritious food ingredients to be consumed during Christmas and New Year celebrations.
Etelvina Pinto sells local products consisting of Beans, Soybeans, Green Beans, Black Rice, Brown Rice, White Rice, Potatoes, and others that are rich in nutrients.
“I recommend consumers to buy local products at the Manleuana traditional market,” said Etelvina Pinto to TATOLI at the Manleuna traditional market, this Friday.
Pinto complains that after the government adapted to the free market in Timor-Leste, many shops set up by foreigners also sell local products: ” People just buy all local products in supermarkets instead of traditional markets,” she said.
According to Pinto, they often get minimal income because consumers rarely visit their place.
“We always get very minimal business income because every day we collect $.2.50 or sometimes up to $10.00 only, but the income is not enough to meet the daily needs of the family,”
At the same place, Armanda Mango, a saleswoman said no customers visited their place even at Christmas.
“Over Christmas, we raised around $.20.00 to $.15.00 only, I hope this year the revenue will increase. We have all local vegetables, we work with farmers from 12 municipalities to procure local products and sell them in this traditional market,” she explained.
According to Magno, they moved from Comoro to the Manleuana market in 2012, while in 2018 they suffered greatly due to a lack of income, therefore Magno asked the government’s Ministry of Tourism, Trade, and Industry and the Food Inspection, Control Agency (AIFAESA) to have more control over the market system.
Journalist: José Beararmino De Sá
Editor: Nelia B.
