Gnuts, sim sim prices high

Sim sim and ground nuts are the most expensive cereals on the market when compared with other cereal crops. A kilogramme of sim sim costs a whopping Rwf3,000, while that of ground nuts is at between Rwf700 and Rwf900 in Nyabugogo and Kimironko markets, respectively. However, prices of cereals like wheat and sorghum are pocket-friendly. Wheat costs Rwf650 per kilogramme and sorghum is at Rwf500 a kilo. You will part with Rwf750 for a kilo of rice in Gikondo and Rwf800 in Kimihurira markets, respectively. Cow peas go for Rwf500 per kilogramme in Nyarugenge Market and millet costs Rwf1,500 in Remera and Kimironko markets. All the prices are slightly changed when compared to last week, and the same goes for other food and other essential commodities’ prices across city markets.According to Jean de Dieu Dushimimana, the extension and mobilisation officer in charge of food crops at Rwanda Agricultural Board, sim sim and ground nuts’ farm gate and market prices are high because they are not grown on a large-scale. “The production of the two crops is still on a small-scale, meaning that supply is lower than demand, which makes them expensive,” Dushimimana said. He added that the two cereal crops were not part of RAB’s crop intensification programme that aims at improving output. “We are putting more emphasis on food crops to ensure that the country is food secure,” added.A kilo of bananas was unchanged at Rwf180 and cassava flour costs Rwf450. Meat goes for Rwf2,500 per kilogramme, while Irish potatoes are at Rwf230 a kilo in all the major markets. Sugar is unchanged at Rwf800 per kilo and salt at Rwf200, while a bar of soap is at Rwf600.