Kigali shoppers will have to dig deeper into their pockets to buy their favourite foodstuffs and fruits following price increases over the past three weeks. 

The prices for most vegetables and fruits have all gone up, according to vendors from across markets in the City of Kigali. Isabella Munezero, a vegetable vendor in Nyarugenge market, attributed the increase to lack of supplies from the nearby traditional vegetable producing districts, saying they now get from Gisenyi, in Rubavu District.

"We now get some of the foodstuffs from far because of the ongoing dry season,” Munezero said yesterday.

She said a kilogramme of tomatoes increased by Rwf200 to Rwf700 in Nyarugenge market, from Rwf500 last week. That of passion fruits is at Rwf1,200 from Rwf1,000 in Kimironko and Nyarugenge markets, while yellow bananas, too, rose by about Rwf200, and now range from Rwf700 (small) to Rwf1,200 (big).

Carrots rose to Rwf1,000 per kilo, from Rwf500, and a kilogramme of red onions goes for Rwf800 from Rwf300 at the beginning of this month.

Meanwhile, foodstuff prices were relatively stable in supermarkets over the reporting time, with Irish potatoes are Rwf850 a kilo in Nakumatt Supermarket, while carrots cost Rwf1,100; red onions go for Rwf1,800 a kilo, and white onions are at Rwf2,600 per kilo. Mangos cost Rwf2,500 a kilo, while paw paws cost Rwf1,000 each.

Cabbages go for Rwf600 each in Simba Supermarket, while Irish potatoes are at Rwf600, and a kilo of tomatoes goes for Rwf1,100, oranges cost Rwf2,900 a kilo. Passion fruits are at Rwf1,700 a kilo and beef costs Rwf2,500 per kilogramme.