Fresh food prices down
Nov 30, 2011
Foods like Irish potatoes, and matooke have become more affordable in Kampala markets after a huge price rise that was witnessed in the previous months.
By Stella Nassuna
Irish potatoes
Foods like Irish potatoes, and matooke have become more affordable in Kampala markets after a huge price rise that was witnessed in the previous months.
Markets like Kibuye, Owino, Nakasero and Kalerwe, which were receiving supplies from areas like Ssingo, saw a reduction in price.
In Kibuye and Owino markets, a tin of Irish potatoes, which was selling at sh3,000 two weeks ago, fell to sh2,000. In Kalerwe market, the tin that was previously selling at sh4,000 went down to sh3,000.
In Nakasero market, a kilogramme of Irish potatoes that earlier cost sh1,500 (retail) and sh1,300 (wholesale) went down to sh1,300 and sh1,000 respectively.
However, Viola Mugisha, a trader in Nakawa market, says the price of Irish potatoes is still high because of the poor supply from Kisoro due to the ongoing rains and the bad roads.
Matooke
By end of last week, matooke supply to Nakawa, Nakasero, Kibuye and Owino markets had slightly gone up, causing a slight decrease in the price per bunch.
In Owino and Nakasero markets, a sizeable bunch of matooke that previously sold at between sh13,000 and sh15,000, was being sold for sh10,000 last week.
In Kibuye and Nakawa markets, a small bunch was at sh8,000. Traders attribute the decrease in price to the start of the harvest season.
However, some traders say the price may go up during the festive season.
Tomatoes
Tomatoes registered a slight increase in supply towards the close of the week, which was not the case about two weeks back.
Consequently, a kilogram of tomatoes that was being sold for sh2,500 in Nakasero, Kibuye, Owino and Kalerwe markets, reduced to sh2,000. A big bowl of tomatoes also reduced to sh7,000 from sh10,000, and to sh3,000 from sh5,000 for the small bowl.
The traders attributed the increase in supply to the start of the harvest season, but they predicted that the prices were likely to rise due to the high demand that comes with the festive season.