Cassava flour prices have increased by up to Rwf150, from Rwf350 to Rwf500 in most city markets over the past week. Fresh cassava tubers rates also increased by Rwf50 from Rwf250 to Rwf300 a kilo, while groundnut paste inched up from Rwf1,200 to Rwf1,400 a kilogramme. 

Traders in Kimironko and Remera markets said prolonged drought in areas where some of the food crops are cultivated affected output. 

However, some food items’ prices have dropped. Irish potatoes prices decline to Rwf200 a kilogramme from Rwf220 a week ago, rice costs Rwf700 from Rwf750, while a kilo of dry beans (imvangi) are down Rwf50, from Rwf450 to Rwf400 and maize flour costs Rwf500 per kilo from Rwf550. Fresh beans cost Rwf600 a kilogramme. 

Maliza Mukarirangwa, a trader in Kimironko Market, said the price of fresh beans declined  because of the harvest period. 

Other traders attributed the decrease in prices of other food items to increased supply from upcountry districts. 

On the other hand, onions were stable at Rwf700 compared to last week, sugar Rwf800, tomatoes Rwf500, cabbages Rwf300, ginger Rwf1,300, carrots Rwf250 per kilo. 

A litre of cooking oil is Rwf1,350 also unchanged from last week, dry fish is at Rwf500 a piece and beef goes for Rwf2,300 per kilogramme. 

Whole chicken costs Rwf3,000, unchanged from last week, an apple costs Rwf300, while big-sized avocados go for Rwf200 each.