In Trinidad and Tobago, sorrel is the drink of choice for Christmas. But this year the fruit used for many local TT delicacies such as jams, non-alcoholic drinks, and even wines and ports, can be hard to find and is very expensive.

Why?

President of the Jerningham Junction Farmers Association Marlon Mathura said heavy rains and high floodwaters last month decimated crops prompting a shortage when at a time where it is in its highest demand.

"This rain that we had here was something. I only got one picking from this acre early November, so that back-to-back flooding caused all of this," Mathura said.

At the end of November, many parts of TT were covered in high floodwaters, the Caroni River breached its banks making its way onto the Uriah Butler Highway, communities were crippled, and homes and livelihoods were destroyed. It was reported that Trinidad saw major flooding in Penal/Debe, Cumuto, Chaguaramas and Felicity. Farmers said the flooding left them with no crops to harvest or with a limited supply.

President of the Agricultural Society of TT (ASTT) Daryl Rampersad said earlier in the year he could see tables filled with sorrel while driving across the country, but this week, mere days before Christmas, sorrel can barely be found.

“This is the first time maybe in the last ten years that we have ever seen such,” said Rampersad, “It’s rather disappointing because as Trinidadians we are very traditional, and this is the season for sorrel. It’s something that is a must-have around this time of the year.”

Rampersad said although it can be produced year-round, sorrel is traditionally bought at Christmas time in TT. He said the shortage is taking away from the tradition.

He added that this situation is not only unique to Jerningham Junction. A number of farmers from Sangre Grande to Bonne Aventure were affected.

Since three farmers in Mathura’s association produce sorrel, he claimed that they lost over $60,000 in earnings. Mathura said not only are farmers suffering, but businesses that use the sorrel to produce other products such as jams or pepper sauce are also facing the brunt. He said they would also export their products to reach other markets unlike the farmers.

Mathura said, “A local processor asked me for some sorrel and she couldn’t get any. So a lot of things we do with sorrel, we won’t be able to get any of that this year.”

He said the ASTT helped in terms of getting the necessary chemicals for his crops during the first week of December, but it was too late to bring the crops back.

Given this situation the price of sorrel has exceedingly increased.

[caption id="attachment_992229" align="alignnone" width="1024"] A customer packs a bag with tomatoes at a vendor's stall at Charlotte Street, Port of Spain. Food crops like tomatoes are in short supply owing to the impact of flooding in November. - AYANNA KINSALE[/caption]

Business Day checked out vendors selling sorrel on Wednesday. One vendor near the Ma