The price of tomatoes has increased by Rwf5,000 to Rwf14,000 per basin in various city markets, over the past two weeks, according to the market survey by Business Times. This was an increase from Rwf9,000. This pushed the price of a kilogramme of tomatoes to Rwf1,000 from Rwf700.

Josiane Mahoro, a tomato vendor in Nyarugenge Market, attributed the increase to low supply from tomato growing regions.

Tomatoes are a major item on the menus of many Rwandan households as they are used to make soups, among others. The other food items that experienced price increases include bananas (plantains) fresh peas, and Irish potatoes. The price of bananas rose to Rwf300 per kilogramme in Nyabugogo Market, up Rwf50 from Rwf250, while that of fresh peas increased by Rwf100 from Rwf1,100 a week ago to Rwf1,200.

A kilogramme of Irish potatoes (Kinigi type) costs Rwf300 in different markets across Kigali city, from Rwf250 previous week.

Meanwhile, prices of other foodstuffs and commodities were unchanged, with rice from Pakistan costing between Rwf800 and Rwf1,200, while that from Thailand ranges from Rwf1,000 to Rwf1,100 per kilogramme, cassava flour ranges from Rwf350 to Rwf500 per kilo in Kimironko and Nyarugenge markets.

Fresh beans range from Rwf450 to Rwf600 per kilo, maize flour, onions cost Rwf600 per kilo, while maize flour cost between Rwf500 and Rwf600 per kilogramme in Batsinda Market.

Beef goes for Rwf3,200 per kilogramme in Nakumatt Supermarket, and is at Rwf2,600 in Kimironko Market. Passion fruits cost between Rwf1,200 and Rwf1,300 per kilogramme, and a medium-sized pawpaw costs Rwf600.

Milk cost ranges from Rwf400 to Rwf600 per litre in most city suburbs. The cost of bread ranges from Rwf900 to Rwf2,000 per kilogramme, depending on the brand, location and whether one buys in supermarkets or neighbourhood shops.

Mangoes cost Rwf1,300 per kilo, while a kilo of red paper ranges from Rwf2,200 to Rwf2,500 in Nyabugogo and Kimironko markets. A bar of laundry soap costs between Rwf400 and Rwf600, while sugar ranges between Rwf1,200 to Rwf1,300 in most markets across the city. Charcoal is also stable with a bag of charcoal at between Rwf8,000 and Rwf9,000.

Rwanda’s inflation rose to 7.4 per cent year-on-year in January largely driven by increasing foodstuff prices.