Food prices double in Rwamagana

RWAMAGANA – Residents of Rwamagana town will have to dig deep into their pockets to buy food following an increase in prices. A mini survey, conducted by The New Times, revealed that 1 kg of beans has increased from Rwf400 to Rwf 700 while a kilogram of fish increased from Rwf600 to Rwf 1000. Workers say the most affected are the monthly paid employees, whose salaries remain constant despite the changes in prices. Janvier Minanura, one of the employees in the district headquarters, said it is becoming impossible to make ends meet with the current food prices. “These prices are unaffordable,” Constance Mukankuranga, one of the residents said. Residents attribute the price hike to the long drought and a poor harvest last season. “We never harvested enough food last season, the delayed rains led to food shortage,” Jean Kimonyo, 45, a resident of Kigabiro sector said. Annonciatte Mukashyaka, a businesswoman, said traders are also affected as they are unable to keep prices down because they also buy foodstuffs from suppliers at high prices. “We can’t help it, food prices have increased all over the country. But again, we should remember that this is normal, since food prices keep on fluctuating,” she said. According to Jean Claude Mpazimpaka, a farmer, high food prices are actually seasonal since new harvests (especially beans) are expected by end of November. Ends