Mixed fortunes for shoppers

Food prices in most city and regional markets are stable compared to three weeks ago. A kilo of Irish potatoes was unchanged at between Rwf150 and Rwf170 in major towns of Base, Gakenke, Musanze, Kinigi, Byangabo, Butaro and Cyanika markets. However, it is at between Rwf190 and Rwf200 in most city markets, also stable compared to a week ago. Anserine Nirere, a trader in Kicukiro market, projected prices to reduce even further because of the rainy season. “If the wet season continues, foodstuff prices, especially for vegetables, will drop further,” she said. However, peas were up, at Rwf1,300 a kilogramme in Kicukiro and Nyarugenge markets, from Rwf1,000 three weeks ago. They cost Rwf700 in Gakenke market from Rwf500. A medium-sized cabbage costs Rwf200 in Gakenke and Rwf300 in Kicukiro and Remera markets. A kilo of vegetables like tomatoes, carrots and onions cost Rwf500. Plantains (bananas) cost Rwf150 a kilo in Musanze and Rwf160 in Rugando, Kimironko, Remera and Nyabugogo markets. Tree tomato costs Rwf700 a kilo in Gakenke, but shoppers in Kicukiro, Nyarugenge and Kimironko have to part with while it is at Rwf1,300 in. Passion fruits cost Rwf500 at a kilo in Base and Rwf1,100 in city markets. A medium-size pineapple costs Rwf500 and pawpaws are at between Rwf800 and Rwf1,000 each, while watermelons cost Rwf2,000 each in Nyabugogo, Nyarugenge and Nyabarongo markets. A tray of eggs costs between Rwf2,300 and Rwf2,500 in most city markets, while beef goes for Rwf2300 a kilo and that of goat meat at Rwf2,500. A kilo of fresh fish costs between Rwf2,500 and Rwf3,000 in Gikondo and Nyamirambo.