During the month of July, commodity prices were recorded declining given the minimal harvest of a few crops within the region and supply from the first seasonal harvest from outside the region. The region also received varying volumes of rainfall with slightly above normal rainfall in southern Karamoja and a few scattered showers in the northern region.
Maize in Karenga district was reported increasing from the previous months Ugx.900/kg to Ugx.1140/kg. However, sorghum price remained constant at Ugx.1000/kg. Other commodities especially delivered from Mbale had beans and cassava flour at Ugx.4000/kg and Ugx.2000/kg respectively. Some milk was available at Ugx.2000/litre. In the livestock markets, increasing animal prices were observed and big bulls were offered at Ugx.2.5M while goats ranging from Ugx.100, 000-350,000 per head. A few animals were offered for sale during market days. Escalating charcoal prices were also noted in Karenga district.
Declining grain prices were captured in Moroto district. Maize declined to Ugx.3500per can weighing 3.5kgs from Ugx.3000 while sorghum in Moroto was also declared at a stable market price of Ugx.2700/can weighing 3.5kgs. Plenty of fresh beans were offered in mags weighing half a kilo at Ugx.1000 from especially Namalu and Napak district which meant a kilo at Ugx. 2000. Other items that registered a declining price included rice at Ugx.4000/kg from Mbale, fresh cassava from Teso at Ugx.1000/heap, irish potatoes at Ugx.1500kg. Sweet potatoes were very scarce during the month leading to a reduction in the size and weight of the heap. Matooke were scarce, however, supply was received from Namalu and Mbale. Milk cost Ugx.2000/litre because of the available healthy cows. Charcoal was largely unavailable leading to an increment in price from Ugx.15, 000 to Ugx.35, 000 per bag. Few animals were offered for sale at Ugx.2, 000,000 for a big bull. Goats and sheep were offered at Ugx.100, 000 per head and Ugx.110, 000 per head respectively.
During the opening of the month, a harsh dry weather affected most of the planted crops especially maize in Napak district. The rains received during the month have improved the sorghum. However, the maize has not yet recouped from the situation and if rainfall doesn’t continue, the maize grain crop in Napak will be highly affected. A declining price was registered for maize from Ugx.3500 to 3000/2800 per can weighing 3.5 kgs. Beans were received from Kapchorwa offered in cups at Ugx.1000/cup rendering beans at Ugx.3000/kg indicating a decline in price from Ugx.4500/kg in the previous month. Plenty of cassava was registered on the market harvested from within the district and offered cheaper at Ugx.1000/heap. Apparently, very little supply fresh sweet potatoes were offered during market days. Super rice from Tanzania reached the market in Napak slightly cheaper than Super Uganda at Ugx.4000/kg. Milk was also available at Ugx.2000/litre.
On average, one truck was loaded every market day. very few animals were offered for sale in the market at increased prices compared to June prices. Big bulls cost Ugx.2M while Medium sized bulls at Ugx.1.4M, medium sized goats and sheep were offered at Ugx.120,000 and Ugx.100,000 per head respectively.
A lot of rainfall was received within the green belt that stretches from Napak to Nakapiripirit districts affecting seasonal planted crops. Maize has been adversely affected by the high volumes of rain in Nakapiripirit. Food supply was registered from Sironko and Kapchorwa. The beans price increased to Ugx.4000 from Ugx.3000/kg at retail and likewise maize. Sorghum prices fluctuated between Ugx.3000/can weighing 3.5kgs. Posho prices also increased to Ugx.4000/kg largely because of the increase in the grain price. Other items received from Kapchorwa included Irish potatoes and Matooke. Better livestock trading was registered in the district at 10 trucks per market day and at a cheaper price. Bulls were offered at Ugx.1.2M whereas goats and sheep at Ugx.80,000-90,000 per head. Most livestock trading was carried out in Namboole during the Friday market day.
The seasonal maize crop was equally affected in Kotido by a dry spell in the early weeks of the month and also registered an increase in price from Ugx.1800/jug weighing 2.2kgs to Ugx.2500/jug weighing 2.2kgs. Likewise, sorghum price also increased from Ugx.2000/kg to Ugx.2200-2300/kg. Some crops registered a decline due to increased supply from Mbale-Sironko trade route. Some beans were also registered from Lira. Plenty of fresh sweet potatoes and cassava were delivered from Mbale/Teso sub region. Irish potatoes price decreased to Ugx.1600-1800/kg.
An estimated 5-6 trucks were loaded every market day from Kotido via Moroto. Animals were more expensive compared to the previous month’s price. Big bulls were offered at Ugx.2.5M while Medium sized bulls at Ugx.1.3M-1.5M per head. Goats and sheep were highly priced at Ugx.120,000-140,000 per head. A national treatment livestock program for all diseases kicked off during the month of July.
Too much rainfall and effects of high sunshine were evident on the seasonal crop in Kaabong district. Farmers were reluctant to replant maize and sorghum affected. The Women Farmers’ Association (WFA) that borrowed money from Post Bank to supply World Food Program (WFP) were also reluctant to replant. The district food security situation was not good and some food relief items were distributed for the vulnerable people from the Office of the Prime Minister. In the course of the month the maize price increased drastically in the district from Ugx.2700-2800/can weighing 3.5 kgs to Ugx.3700-3800/can weighing 3.5kgs. Likewise sorghum increased from Ugx.3500/can to Ugx.3800/can. Super rice increased to Ugx.6000/kg from Ugx.5000/kg. Other commodity items that registered an increase included Firewood at Ugx.4500 per bundle and Charcoal at Ugx.22,000-23,000 per sack. No livestock markets were open in Kaabong and trading in the livestock was done at individual levels along the corridors. Apparently, animals were expensive in the district. Big bulls cost Ugx.2M per head. Medium sized bulls cost Ugx.1.6M to Ugx.1.7M per head while goats and sheep cost Ugx.200,000 per head and Ugx.150,000 per head respectively.
Part of Amudat district was hit by a very dry spell, however, the other part is doing well in terms of maize production. The maize price was recorded stable and similar to the previous month’s price at Ugx.4000/can weighing 3.5kgs. Beans prices increased from Ugx.3000/kg to Ugx.5000/kg. fresh items were received from Bukwa and Kapchorwa such as cabbages, green leafy vegetables, Irish, matooke and beans. In the livestock market, goats and sheep were demanded in Southern Sudan and Kenya and were highly priced compared to last month’s price at Ugx.150,000-200,000 per head. Similar cattle prices were reflected during the month of June apart from goat and sheep prices.
Plenty of fresh cassava was reported on the market in Abim during the month of July. However, planting of sweet potatoes continued throughout the month. Sweet potato supply was received from Mbale. Minimum harvesting of beans was recorded in the district, however, supply was mainly from Sironko and offered within the district at a very high price. Maize was offered at Ugx.2500/can. Sorghum was harvested during the month of July rendering the price low at Ugx.600/kg. Reduction in the Super rice price was also recorded at Ugx.4000/kg. Animals prices in the district markets were recorded at a higher price.
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