Food markets are big business in Papua New Guinea

Abstract

Between 1979 and 1982 we surveyed three markets in the Kainantu area of the Eastern Highlands every fortnight. This was part of a large study of seasonality of food supply. As we did this, we realised that a lot of money was changing hands in these markets. Many planners do not seem to know that selling food within Papua New Guinea is a big industry. We wanted to make people more aware of this part of the national economy.