KAYANZA, January 30th (ABP) – The prices of some food products have dropped significantly in downtown Kayanza. For example, the price of a kilogram of potato now fluctuates between 1,500 and 2,000BIF, whereas last week it varied between 2,000 and 3,200BIF, depending on the variety.
Sellers explain that that drop in price is due to the fact that farmers in the communes of Kabarore and Muruta are in the middle of the harvest season. That said, prices for other foodstuffs such as rice, beans and bananas are skyrocketing.
At Kayanza’s central market, as well as in the “Ku gisima” locality in the heart of downtown Kayanza, prices have dropped significantly for certain food products. Those include potatoes, onions and cabbage. For example, the price of a kilogram of the “Mauve” variety of potato has dropped from 3,000BIF to 1,500BIF.
As for the “Kijumbu” variety, a kilogram now costs 1,500BIF, down from 2,000BIF. At the same time, the price of a kilogram of “Mabondo” and “Victoria” potatoes has dropped significantly, from 3,200BIF to 2,000BIF.
Apart from that food crop, the price of onions has also fallen, from 2,500BIF to 2,000 BIF today. The same is true of vegetables, where a cabbage that yesterday cost 2,000BIF can now be bought for less than 1,000BIF.
Some of the vendors contacted worry that that drop in prices is due to the fact that traders from other provinces are not coming to those communes to stock up, following the fuel shortage.
However, other foodstuffs, especially rice, beans and bananas, continue to experience steep price rises. The explanation given by some is none other than the shortage of fuel, especially fuel oil, and the fact that transporting goods costs an arm and a leg.
With that in mind, traders and buyers alike are calling on the government to address that concern in order to avoid exponential price rises.
Adelin Niyonsaba, director of the Kayanza provincial office for the environment, agriculture and livestock, urges the province’s inhabitants to manage production properly so as not to open the door to hunger.