Food prices continue to drop

As the festive season sets in, it’s good news for consumers as prices of food continue to drop.  A kilo of Irish potatoes goes for between Rwf130 and Rwf150, down from Rwf200 at the beginning of last week in most markets around Kigali. 

Wednesday, December 11, 2013
A trader sorts out Irish potatoes for sale. The New Times/Su00e9raphine Habimana

As the festive season sets in, it’s good news for consumers as prices of food continue to drop. 

A kilo of Irish potatoes goes for between Rwf130 and Rwf150, down from Rwf200 at the beginning of last week in most markets around Kigali. 

However in Gakenke, Base, Kinigi, Musanze, Byangabo and Rubavu markets, it costs only between Rwf 50 and Rwf80.

A kilo of peas costs between Rwf500 and Rwf600 in Nyarugenge, Kimironko, Kicukiro and Kabuga markets. In Gataraga, Gakenke and Base markets prices have dropped from Rwf800 a few weeks back to Rwf300.  

Sandra Uwireba, a supplier in Nyarugenge market said there was a bumper harvest in Northern Province where most of the traders around Kigali get their food supplies.

"This time, farmers are getting a good harvest compared to past years,” she said.

Assouman Gashugi, a trader in Kicukiro Market said the prices of food stuffs continue to go down as a result of the good harvest in Musanze, Rubavu and Bugesera.

A kilogramme of tomatoes and carrots costs Rw400 down from Rwf600 and Rwf700 last week while a cabbage is Rwf400 depending on its size and other vegetables cost between Rwf300 and Rwf500 in Kigali city markets.

A kilo of tomatoes goes for Rwf1,300 from Rwf1,400 recently. Mangoes cost Rwf1, 000 a kilo, down from Rwf1500 at the beginning of last week. A pineapple costs Rwf400 and apple Rwf300 according to their size in Kimironko, Kicukiro and Gahanga market.

Other foodstuff prices remained stable. A kilo of rice costs Rwf700, Rwf800 and Rwf1000 depending on the grade and quality while a kilo of sugar is at 700 in Nyarungege, Kimironko and Nyamirambo markets.

Fresh beans go for between Rwf500 a kilo while a kilo of cassava flour costs Rwf400 in Kimironko, Giporoso and Nyabugogo. 

A kilo of bananas costs Rwf250, while sweet potatoes cost 230 a kilo in Nyabugogo and Kimironko market.

A kilo of goat meet costs Rwf2300. Beef costs Rwf2400 while chicken costs between Rwf 2700 and Rwf 3500. Fish costs Rwf2,000 while a tray of eggs goes for Rwf2,300 from Rwf2500 last week in Gikondo , Giporoso, Kicukiro and Kimironko markets.