Yam prices rise during dry season

(Credit: Umar Nsubuga)

AGRIBUSINESS

Although yams thrive under wet weather, they are usually available on the market most of the time because of the way they are grown. When one is planting yams, another is harvesting. 

When drought hit the country last year, the prices for different commodities rose, and the price of yams, a tuber crop, was no exception. Since then, the prices have not changed.

Charles Kavuma, a yam farmer in Nabitalo village in Wakiso district, says before the drought, a sack of yams cost about sh50, 000 but since then the prices have taken a hike.

At the end of last year, traders were buying a sack at sh90,000. At one point, it went up to sh125,000.

It has dropped to about sh80,000 but according to Irene Nabisubi at Kalerwe market, this is still high.

"We want the price at sh40,000. Many times when commodities are expensive, people do not want to spend on them. More so, foods like yams that people can do without," she said.

Mid-last year, three or four medium-sized yams were at sh3,000 but now cost sh4,000. The large ones cost sh5,000.

A sack was bought at sh90,000 and sold at between sh100,000 and sh120,000. Despite the prices going down slightly, the retail prices have remained the same. Depending on the size of the yams, the price will range from sh1,000 to sh5,000.

According to Medi Kalema, a vendor at Kasubi Market, nothing else determines the price of yams more than the weather. During the dry season, there will be less produce, meaning the prices will go up whereas during the wet season, which enhances the growth of the yams, the prices will go drop.

However, Robert Kyeswa, a farmer in Zirobwe, says rain spoils yams too. "It makes the yams watery especially when cooked. The yams are good when the weather is moderate".

Traders are positive that the prices will continue to go down if the weather favours the growing of the yam.

The weather may change every now and then, but Kyeswa says yams are available all year round since there is always someone planting and another harvesting every day. Their main season is from August to December because it is a rainy season.

Traders say February and March are when yams are most scarce on the market. Yams grow well in swamps.

Most of the yams come from Luwero, Zirobwe, Mbale, and some from Fort Portal. Alice Nalule, a vendor in Kalerwe, says most of the produce received at the market is mainly grown in Zirobwe.

She also says yams can stay longer if kept in a sack punched with holes to keep the freshness in a cool dry place.