Food prices still on the rise

(Credit: Umar Nsubuga)

LATEST MARKET PRICES

After a brief price drop in April, the price of matooke (green bananas) has again shot up, making the lcal staple a luxury in many homes.

By the end of May, a big bunch of matooke that cost sh20,000 in early April had gone up to sh25,000 at Kalerwe market.

At the same market, a bunch of an extra-large matooke is selling between sh30,000 and sh35,000 and at Kasubi Market, the same is going for sh30,000.

Previously it was selling at sh25,000. A medium-size bunch is selling at sh18,000 up from sh13,000 - sh15,000

Traders in various markets attribute the price increase to the escalating fuel prices and the national budget, while others are blaming it on the long drought in some parts of the country.

Sweet potatoes

Even the price of sweet potatoes, which is usually stable, has also gone up. The smallest heap (omulengo) that used to cost between sh1,500 and sh2,000 is now being sold for between sh2,000 and sh3,000 in most markets in the city. In some places it has gone up to the range of sh4,000 and sh5,000.

Most of the sweet potatoes being sold at Nakawa Market are from Teso, Mukono and Mpigi. There, a heap of seven big-sized sweet potatoes from Mukono is selling at sh5,000 while the potatoes from Teso region go for sh3,000-sh4,000.

At Nakasero market, a heap of five big sweet potatoes from Busoga or Kabale are selling at sh5,000, while a heap of four medium-size sweet potatoes at sh2,000. At Kalerwe and Kasubi markets, a heap of five big pieces is at sh3,000.

Traders are blaming the price rise on the rise in fuel prices. A 100kg bag of sweet potatoes that was selling at sh150,000 a few months ago is now sh20,000 more expensive.