WESTERN PROVINCE

RUSIZI — Beef prices have been hiked in various sectors of Rusizi district.

Traders who talked to The New Times over the weekend attributed the price increase to the closure of all butcheries in the area by officials of Rwanda Animal and Resource Development Authority (RARDA).

A mini survey carried out by The New Times in Kamembe town indicates that a kilogram of beef has risen from Frw1, 800 to about Frw2500.

Kamembe market has over 20 butcheries and they were all closed due to lack of basic sanitation facilities. Other butcheries in other sectors were also closed over the same problems.

"Prices especially here in Kamembe town have been hiked. I think it is due to the closure of all butcheries,” Christopher Nzayisenga, a resident said.

One Omar Rashid Twizeyimana, a butchery attendant, in Kamembe market said RARDA officials ordered them to first install tiles, build counters in their butcheries and put in place water taps before reopening.

Another resident said that various restaurants are now buying meat from Nyanza district in the Southern Province to sustain meat on their menu.

The resident added that other residents are now buying meat from illegal meat dealers in deep villages.

The increase in meat prices has also caused increase in the prices of its substitute commodities like small fish, roasted fish and chicken.

A kilogram of small fish has risen from Frw1750 to Frw2000 while roasted fish cost Frw3100 from Frw2800 a kilogram.

On Monday October 20 in the morning meat was only available at Sovan supermarket the only sole operator whose shop was not closed.

Efforts to talk to the district officials to comment on the matter were futile by press time.

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