kigali residents will have to dig deeper into their pockets to buy foodstuffs and other commodities following an increase in prices across city markets.

Denise Mukamugema, a banana vendor in Kimironko Market, said prices have been rising since the beginning of the month.

She said a kilogramme of bananas now costs Rwf250, up from Rwf224 three weeks ago, while fresh beans are at Rwf600 per kilo from Rwf400. Irish potatoes rose marginally to Rwf170 a kilo from Rwf160, and yams cost Rwf350 per kilogramme from Rwf300.

John Bosco Gahire, a trader in Nyabugogo Market, attributed the increase to low supply of produce from the major producing areas. Gahire said a kilo of fresh peas rose to Rwf1,200 in Nyabugogo Market, from Rwf1,000 three weeks ago, while that of cassava flour costs Rwf550.

Tomatoes went up from Rwf5,000 a basin to Rwf6,000, onions are Rwf900 per kilo from Rwf850, carrots are at Rwf650 per kilo, from Rwf500 and the price of cabbages ranges from Rwf300 to Rwf500 in most city markets, depending on size and pumpkins are at between Rwf500 and Rwf600, and avocado at Rwf200.

An apple costs about Rwf350 to Rwf500, mangoes cost Rwf1,500 per kilo, while a kilo of oranges goes for Rwf1,300 and passion fruits cost Rwf1,500 per kilo in most markets across the city. A medium-sized pineapple is at Rwf600, while paw paws cost Rwf700 each and watermelon (big) goes for Rwf3,500.

Beef costs Rwf2,600 per kilogramme in Kigali City Market, up from Rwf2,400, while in Kimironko and Nyabugogo markets it is at Rwf2400.

A bar of soap costs between Rwf500 and Rwf600 in different markets across the city while sugar is Rwf700 and maize flour ranges from Rwf600 to Rwf700 per kilogramme, depending on location.

Rice from Thailand and Pakistan cost Rwf850 and Rwf750 per kilogramme, respectively.

Milk costs between Rwf350 to Rwf500 per litre in most trading centres across the city, and bread (kilogramme) ranges from Rwf1,000 to Rwf2,000, depending on the brand, location and whether one buys from an ordinary shop or supermarket. Half a kilo of bread costs between Rwf500 and Rwf700.

Inflation rose from 0.9 per cent in April to 2.2 per cent last month, according to the National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda.

business@newtimes.co.rw