Consumers across the country have expressed concerns over rising beef prices, while prices for some small livestock remain stable, according to a mini-survey conducted by The New Times. ALSO READ: Beer, meat prices soar over festive season “In Musanze District, many people are turning to sheep because one kilogramme of mutton costs around Rwf4,000, while bony beef ranges from Rwf5,000 to Rwf6,000. This is an increase from Rwf3, 500 to Rwf4, 000 before the festive season,” said Olive Uwiringiyimana, a resident of Musanze District. Christine Ingabire, a vendor at Byangabo Market, located between Musanze and Nyabihu districts, said a kilogramme of bony beef is priced at Rwf6,000, while boneless beef costs Rwf8,000. “Before the festive season, bony beef was Rwf4, 000, and boneless beef was Rwf5, 200. Chicken meat is currently the most affordable,” she said. The mini-survey also found that beef prices have risen from Rwf4,500 to Rwf6,000 per Kilogramme in Muhanga District. Some consumers have reported a shortage of cows for meat due to various reasons. “In Musanze, more people are turning to small livestock like sheep because it’s easier to afford fodder compared to raising cows,” Uwiringiyimana added. Cattle prices in southern province Traders in Southern Province have reported doubling of prices for cows, from Rwf350,000 to Rwf600,000 per cow. ALSO READ: High cow prices affecting ‘Gir’inka’ This increase in cattle prices has contributed to the rise in beef prices. “The price of bony beef in Huye District was Rwf5, 000 per kilogramme before the festive season, but it has increased by Rwf1, 000,” said Aimable Niyonsenga, a resident of Huye. Prices on the border with DR Congo Meanwhile, prices for goats have risen sharply in Rusizi District due to increased exports to the Democratic Republic of Congo. A goat that was previously sold for Rwf100,000 now costs Rwf160,000, while a goat priced at Rwf65,000 has increased to Rwf100,000, according to Sylvestre Bahuwiyongera, a businessman in the district. ALSO READ: Rubavu port set to reshape cross-border trade with DR Congo The price of sheep has also increased in Rusizi, with a sheep that was sold for Rwf75,000 now going for Rwf100,000. The price of beef in the area ranges from Rwf7,000 to Rwf8,000 per kilogramme, up from Rwf5,000 and below, driven by high demand from Congolese buyers. Kigali In Kigali, the mini-survey found that beef prices in Kacyiru Sector, Gasabo District have risen to Rwf7,000 per kilogramme, up from Rwf5,500 before the festive season. Boneless beef is now priced at approximately Rwf10,000. “The price of beef in Nzove is Rwf6,000, but chicken remains affordable,” said Emilienne Uwanyirigira, a resident of Kanyinya Sector, Nyarugenge District. In Kimironko, beef is priced at Rwf6,000 per kilogramme, while in Remera, it is Rwf6,500. ALSO READ: Prices of chicken hit historic high Meanwhile, the price of chicken meat is Rwf3,500 per kilogramme in Nyabugogo Business Centre and Rwf4,000 in Kimironko.
