Tonga Ends Bundle Sales: Fruits and Vegetables to be Weighed by the Kilo
For generations, Tongan households have bought produce in bundles at the roadside and markets. That system is now changing, with the government directing vendors to sell fruits and vegetables by the kilogram — a move officials say will make pricing fairer and healthier choices more affordable.
The Ministry’s Consumer and Fair Trade Division confirmed the new policy comes under the Price and Wage Control Actand the Weights and Measures Act. Both ensure regulated goods are sold within set price limits and that scales used in the marketplace are properly registered and calibrated.
Officials said the change was necessary after repeated complaints from the public. “Despite government reducing duties and taxes to make imported fruits and vegetables more affordable, we are still receiving complaints of increasing prices given that businesses are still selling in packets and not per kilo,” the ministry stated.
To support small and medium vendors, particularly those in markets and along the roadside, Tonga Health has supplied a first batch of 25 calibrated scales, with more to arrive. Demonstrations were also given to business owners on how to price and operate the equipment.
Retail and wholesale businesses in Tongatapu have already been formally instructed to comply, with the same directives to reach the outer islands in the months ahead. Early responses suggest vendors are willing to adapt, with some contacting the ministry for further assistance.
Officials stress that the shift will not undermine traditional vendors but instead help them earn fairer returns while protecting consumers. Beyond pricing, the government sees the policy as part of a wider public health agenda. By making fruit and vegetables more accessible, the initiative aims to encourage healthier eating habits in line with Tonga Health’s mandate.
This measured but significant reform emphasise Tonga’s efforts to modernise market practices while preserving its community vendors, offering consumers both transparency and choice at a time when the cost of living is under intense scrutiny.
