RUKWA: RESIDENTS in Rukwa Region are feeling the effects of rising food prices, a trend that has intensified in recent weeks as the year draws to a close.
A spot check by ‘Daily News’ recently found that prices of essential items such as meat, rice, beans, onions and cooking oil have surged compared to last month.
A cereal trader in Sumbawanga Municipal, Jacob Samwel (43), said the situation left many consumers in the municipal struggling to meet basic food needs as the year ends, with food costs remaining high and supply shortages showing little sign of relief in the near future.
“We appeal for government intervention. Food commodity prices have risen sharply while some people could hardly afford two meals a day,” Mr Samwel from Momoka ward said.
He also said the price of sardine for a 20-kilogramme tin has shot up by over four times from 50,000/- last month to currently 220,000/-.
Additionally, a random survey by the ‘Daily News’ revealed that a kilogramme of maize flour was being sold at 2,500/- up from 1,000/- , beans 3,000/- up from 1,300/- while a kilogramme of rice was being sold between 1,800/- and 1,900/- up from 1,100/-.
The rice price hike is attributed to a decrease in supply, as local rice traders, mostly from Lake Rukwa, are opting to sell their stock in Mbeya, where the market offers better prices.
The survey revealed also beans prices doubled from 2,500/- to 5,000/- per kilogramme. A beans retail trader, Leo Joseph attributes the rise in prices for beans to low supply due to heavy rainfall which caused excessive soil moisture leading to belowaverage bean production.
The survey also revealed that maize prices have risen, with a 100kilogramme sack now selling for 90,000/-, up from 70,000/- previously. While onion prices have tripled to 9,000/- from 3,000/- per kilogramme.
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Also, the price of meat has increased from 8000/- to 10,000/- per kilogramme before Christmas. A butcher at Sabasaba Market, Mr Adam Makalo, said the price increase was due to high demand for meat, particularly during the holiday season.
“The surge in meat prices is due to the sharp increase in demand this festive season, with prices having skyrocketed compared to previous holidays,” he said.
However, he acknowledged that the rising prices are putting a strain on consumers.
Furthermore, Mr Abdul Adam, a meat dealer, said that the ongoing price rise is largely driven by increased demand, as many people tend to buy meat during the holiday season.
“The demand for meat has risen. It’s the holiday season and many people want to eat meat,” Mr Adam said.
