DALO farmers on Taveuni have complained about the drop in dalo price on the island despite the authorities decision for the Tausala breed to be sold at $1.20 a kilogram.
Qila dalo farmer Jai Prasad said the price of dalo had been at an all time low and the commodity was losing its value.
"Before this used to be a cash crop that we depended on but since Christmas the price of dalo has been falling and we are not getting the returns that we expect," he said.
"The Department of Agriculture had actually set prices of dalo at $1.20 a kilogram but this has not been followed by buyers on the island and we are worried since buyers seem to be taking advantage of the inaction by the authorities.
"They should monitor the price of dalo being set by these buyers," he said.
Principal agricultural officer north John Cox said the price of dalo like any other commodity was wholly dependent on its demand from the market.
"There is actually nothing that can be done about the current price of dalo and it is well known that when the supply of dalo increases the prices fall and vice versa," he said.
"These are factors that are determined by the conditions in the market.
"The ministry cannot control the price of dalo as it is dependent on factors that is out of its reach," he said.
Mr Cox said dalo price was usually low at this time of the year.