The cost of food remains a key consideration heading into the Christmas season.

Agriculture Minister, Floyd Green, has already put the country on notice that while most agricultural products will be available for the period, others may be in scare supply.

Nationwide visited Coronation Market in downtown Kingston on Thursday to gauge how closely vendors and shoppers are monitoring the supply of products and the associated costs as the yuletide season approaches.

Shaloy Smikle reports.

One of the most unmistakable signs that Christmas is approaching is the arrival of sorrel in the markets.

Agricultural Minister Floyd Green had warned that sorrel and gungo peas may be in scarce supply this Christmas.

One vendor in Coronation Market that our news team that shoppers will have to pay close to $1,000 per pound to prepare the holiday drink.

He says other items such as carrots are over $300 per pound.

Beyond the traditional drinks, another item, gungo peas, is also becoming increasingly common.

A vendor, Marcia, provided a breakdown of the variety of legumes as well as other key ingredients used to make the seasonal rice and gungo peas.

As we continued the journey in the market, other prices such as sweet potatoes, which are going for $450 per pound, ginger, $500 per pound, and tomatoes, going for $300 per pound.

A single plantain is being sold at $250, a pear at $300 and green bananas at $300 per dozen.

Meanwhile, another vendor, Banga, says the prices for yams will also see an increase in the coming weeks.