Foodstuff and other commodity prices are mixed in most markets in Bugesera District. While some foodstuff prices went up, the majority were stable over the past week or so.

The price of fresh peas increased by Rwf300, from Rwf1,000 per kilogramme to Rwf1,300 in Nyamata Market, that of carrots went up by Rwf200 to Rwf1,300 a kilo, up from Rwf1,000 a week ago. A kilogramme of fresh beans increased from Rwf450 to Rwf500, while that of Irish potatoes increased marginally from Rwf200 to Rwf220.

Jean Hakizimana, a trader in the Nyamata market, told Business Times that buyers have dropped due to the high commodity prices.

Meanwhile, prices of most of the other commodities were largely unchanged, with bag of charcoal ranging from Rwf6,500 to Rwf8,000 and a basinful of tomatoes from Rwf5,000 to Rwf6,000. Onions are at Rwf1,100 per kilogramme, maize flour costs Rwf500 per kilogramme, that of cassava flour is at between Rwf350 and Rwf400, while a kilo rice ranges from Rwf750 to Rwf850 in most shops in Nyamata town.

A five-litre jerrycan of cooking vegetable oil is at Rwf6,000 to Rwf6,500. Milk costs between Rwf300 and Rwf500 per litre in different trading centres in Nyamata town, a bar of soap is at between Rwf400 and Rwf600, while bread (weighing 1kg) ranges from Rwf900 to Rwf2,000, depending on the brand, size and type in neighbourhood shops and supermarkets in Nyamata town.

Traders say the price ranges could reduce as the rain season starts.