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<b>Passion fruits get costly</b><br>In Uganda, passion fruits have expanded from an only industry fruit, to individual farmers at a local level. Many farmers have made a living through production of organic processed passion fruit juice that they sell at the local market and neighbouring countries.
Passion fruits get costly
In Uganda, passion fruits have expanded from an only industry fruit, to individual farmers at a local level. Many farmers have made a living through production of organic processed passion fruit juice that they sell at the local market and neighbouring countries. The fruit is not commercial only, but a food crop as well.
In Uganda, many people eat the fruit in its raw form including the seeds, while others enjoy the juice that is extracted. Passion fruits can also be turned into fruit flavours that are used in making several dishes like salads, sauce, fruit cake, ice cream and yogurt.
The seeded pulp of passion fruit can be used to make jelly that is often combined with pineapple or tomato jelly to make jam. Experts say purple passion fruit has got health and nutrition benefits. It contains high carbohydrate and simple sugars that improve athlete’s performance. It also has antioxidants, fibre and reduces risks of cancer cell growth.
Even with such great importance, the Ugandan market is currently experiencing a low supply of passion fruits. Vendors in Owino, and Nakasero markets say the price of passion fruits can be very unpredictable.
In early August a sack of passion fruits from Masaka was selling at sh120,000, but by the end of September, the price had shot up to about sh200,000.
At the beginning of October the prices went up to sh250,000 and back down to shs200,000. At the beginning of October, passion fruits were selling at sh220,000 in Owino Market. Vendors have therefore, been forced to reduce the number of passions fruit per sale.
Six passion fruits that you could get at sh500 have reduced to four passion fruits in most markets.
Vendors in Nakasero Market say since the fuel crisis started, the number of trucks supplying passion fruits has gone down. Some farmers and dealers have resorted to cheaper transport in special hire vehicles to transport their products.
The Ugandan market is currently receiving supply of purple passion fruits from Kenya which are not as expensive as the Masaka grown passion fruits.
In Uganda, passion fruits have expanded from an only industry fruit, to individual farmers at a local level. Many farmers have made a living through production of organic processed passion fruit juice that they sell at the local market and neighbouring countries. The fruit is not commercial only, but a food crop as well.
In Uganda, many people eat the fruit in its raw form including the seeds, while others enjoy the juice that is extracted. Passion fruits can also be turned into fruit flavours that are used in making several dishes like salads, sauce, fruit cake, ice cream and yogurt.
The seeded pulp of passion fruit can be used to make jelly that is often combined with pineapple or tomato jelly to make jam. Experts say purple passion fruit has got health and nutrition benefits. It contains high carbohydrate and simple sugars that improve athlete’s performance. It also has antioxidants, fibre and reduces risks of cancer cell growth.
Even with such great importance, the Ugandan market is currently experiencing a low supply of passion fruits. Vendors in Owino, and Nakasero markets say the price of passion fruits can be very unpredictable.
In early August a sack of passion fruits from Masaka was selling at sh120,000, but by the end of September, the price had shot up to about sh200,000.
At the beginning of October the prices went up to sh250,000 and back down to shs200,000. At the beginning of October, passion fruits were selling at sh220,000 in Owino Market. Vendors have therefore, been forced to reduce the number of passions fruit per sale.
Six passion fruits that you could get at sh500 have reduced to four passion fruits in most markets.
Vendors in Nakasero Market say since the fuel crisis started, the number of trucks supplying passion fruits has gone down. Some farmers and dealers have resorted to cheaper transport in special hire vehicles to transport their products.
The Ugandan market is currently receiving supply of purple passion fruits from Kenya which are not as expensive as the Masaka grown passion fruits.