The price of some produce including beans and potatoes has gone up across city markets driven by high demand from farmers buying planting materials for Season A, traders say. The price of Irish potatoes has increased from Rwf350 over the past weeks to Rwf400 per kilogramme. Ruth Keza, a vendor in Kimironko Market attributed the increase to limited supply and high wholesale prices due to the planting season. However, potatoes are at Rwf280 per kilo in Gisozi Market. The price of beans is Rwf800 per kilogramme, up from Rwf500 previously. Traders were, however, optimistic that prices would drop in coming weeks as demand reduces. Moses Rukundo, a trader in Kimironko Market, says the prices for some foodstuffs and vegetables went up due to the recent prolonged dry season and the inadequate rains the country is receiving presently. Rukundo says egg plants cost Rwf700 a kilogramme, an increase by Rwf50 from Rwf650 previously. The price of white onions is up at between Rwf1,200 and Rwf1,500 per kilogramme, depending on location, while bananas cost Rwf300 each kilogramme, an increase from Rwf280. However, some foodstuff prices have remained stable over the past weeks, with red onions at Rwf600 per kilogramme and tomatoes Rwf600 in different city markets. Fresh beans go for Rwf800 per kilogramme, while the dry ones at Rwf600, medium-size cabbages go for Rwf300, and dodo (amaranthus) is at Rwf200 per roll, and table salt 400 a kilo. Maize floor is at Rwf600 per kilogramme, Mukwano cooking oil goes for Rwf1,800 per litre and that of Neo cooking oil costs Rwf2,000. Beef is at Rwf2000 per kilogramme in Gisozi and Kimironko markets. Chicken goes for Rwf2,500 per kilo at Chicken Halaal butchery in Kimironko and fish fillet at Rwf5,000, an increase of Rwf200. Tofila Nyandwi, the operator attributes that rise to high import prices, saying they buy fish at Rwf4,700 per kilogramme Uganda. The cost of sugar is at Rwf1,100 in supermarkets and about Rwf900 in neighbourhood shops, while bread (1kg) costs Rwf1,500 in Laika Supermarket in Gisozi, Extra Fair supermarket, Kanombe and Krishina Supermarket in Kimironko. Bread (1kg) costs between Rwf900 and Rwf1,000 in shops and bakeries.
