Banana prices increase to Rwf7,000 in Kayonza district

Prices of bananas in Kayonza have gone up. A bunch of the staple now costs Rwf7,000, up from Rwf4,000. The increase has been attributed to high demand, which was not matched by the supply. Traders from Kigali always go to Kayonza Market on Tuesdays and Fridays to buy bananas. Jandodiye Rutabana, a farmer, attributed the scarcity of bananas to a bad season. “We did not have good yields this season,” he said, adding that crops like potatoes and cassava were also not yet ready, meaning that most of the produce that should have been taken to the market is consumed at home. “That is why the demand for bananas has shot up. A small bunch now costs between Rwf4,000 and Rwf5,000,” Bizimana said. He was happy the prices have increased, saying the farmers would earn handsomely.“Now you can sell one bunch of bananas and get enough money to meet a number of family needs. Previously, we would sell many bunches but fail to raise money to satisfy one’s needs... We are expecting a good yield in July,” he said.He asked the government to invest in processing the crop so that they can get a bigger market in East African Community. Pasikali Bizimana, a banana trader from Kigali, said high operation costs caused by increasing transport fees was affecting the trade.