Prices for some foodstuffs have gone up in different markets in the City of Kigali over the past week. Irish potatoes now cost Rwf300 per kilogramme in most city markets, an increase of Rwf50 from Rwf250 last week.

The price of carrots also went up marginally from Rwf750 to Rwf800 a kilo, while the price of passion fruits increased by Rwf200 to Rwf1,600, from Rwf1,400 last week. Pumpkins now cost Rwf650 in most city markets compared to Rwf550 last week, cabbages range from Rwf400 to Rwf650, depending on size and market, and pineapples cost about Rwf700 a piece.

Dinah Tumukunde, a trader in Kimironko Market, attributed the increase to low supply of some foodstuffs occasioned by the dry spell the country is currently facing.

Tumukunde said the prices of different items, like vegetables and fruits, might increase slightly over the coming weeks.

The cost of bread (that weighs 1kg) ranges from Rwf1,000 to Rwf2,000 per kilo in Nakumatt Supermarket and other up-market stores; depending on the brand, type and size  while it ranges from Rwf700 to Rwf1,000 in shops, and milk is unchanged at between Rwf400 and Rwf600 per litre.

Onions cost Rwf1,200 per kilo, beef is at Rwf3,500 a kilo at Simba Supermarket, while it costs Rwf2,800 in Kimironko market.

A bar of soap costs between Rwf500 and Rwf700 in most markets and shops, while sugar ranges from Rwf700 to Rwf900, depending on location or whether one buys it in a supermarket; and the mangoes cost between Rwf1,000 and Rwf1,400 per kilogramme in Kimironko market.

A kilogramme of maize flour now costs between Rwf450 and Rwf600, and of rice costs between Rwf700 to Rwf1,400 a kilogramme.

However, prices of some items dropped, with the price of fresh peas dropping to Rwf1,600 a kilo, down from Rwf1,700 last week, while bananas (plantains) cost Rwf200, down from Rwf250

Onions cost Rwf1,200 per kilo, beef is at Rwf3,500 a kilo at Simba Supermarket, and goes for Rwf2,800 in Kimironko market.

A bar of soap costs between Rwf500 and Rwf700 in most markets and shops, while sugar ranges from Rwf700 to Rwf900, depending on location or whether one buys it in a supermarket; and the mangoes cost between Rwf1,000 and Rwf1,400 per kilogramme in Kimironko market.