Onion prices blamed on exports
Over the recent few weeks, Uganda has registered the highest ever rise in the price of red onions. By the close of last week, a kilogram of onions had gone up to sh6,000, while a big bowl (katasa) now costs sh20,000.
Over the recent few weeks, Uganda has registered the highest ever rise in the price of red onions.
By the close of last week, a kilogram of onions had gone up to sh6,000, while a big bowl (katasa) now costs sh20,000.
A smaller bowl goes for sh10,000. A-100kg-bag of onions now costs sh500,000.
Traders note that this is the worst ever price rise to be registered for onions.
Norah Namutebi, a red onion trader, is already feeling the pinch. Since the rise in price, Namutebi has lost over 50% earnings.
The traders blame the Government for letting the exportation of food to the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan go unchecked.
“It is true that there was a shortage in onion supply that was caused by the prolonged dry season, but it has been made worse by excessive exportation of the red onions,” Michael Okello, an onion trader, says.
He explains that buyers from the Congo and South Sudan usually pay double the price that Ugandan buyers would pay for the same quantity.
At Nakasero market, traders have even gone ahead to stock imported white onions to meet the demand.
Compiled by Stella Nassuna