As the nation waits for the next presidential address on the Covid 19 pandemic, fewer consumers were registered in the markets to purchase food items. The trading communities in Kampala’s major markets expressed their regret at the low turn up. The concern of social distancing was disqualified because the traders were not registering the right sales.

Millers in Kisenyi noted that maize was purchased at a high price and posho/flour held in stock for long leading to losses therefore purchasing less maize grain. The grain price has since declined from Ugx.1100-1000/kg to Ugx.900/kg in Kisenyi. The traders also noted that people don’t have money to buy food like they used to. Lira recorded the same grain price.

Posho price declined slightly from Ugx.103,000 a 50kg bag to Ugx.100,000. Traders have resorted to selling smaller units of 5,10 and 20 kilogram bags.

Likewise in the local townships across the nation, less purchasing of food items was mentioned mainly due to high commodity prices especially for processed items and long distances to the markets. Apparently, there is plenty of fresh food items in the rural areas because of the current rain season that continues until May.

Plenty of Matooke was mentioned in the greater Mbarara districts, however, there were supply limitations due to transport and less demand from the major city buyers. Traders resorted to loading small bunches that are affordable to the town dwellers at a range of Ugx.5000-15,000 retail price.

Plenty of matooke was also mentioned around the Elgon area together with Irish potatoes at Ugx.100,000 per 100 kilo bag. Supply was delivered to Mbale and beyond.

A considerable stock of maize grain is still held by stockiests speculating for high price until May, however, the border market at Busia received newly harvested maize from Tanzania via Sirari and Namanga- Kenya. It’s not clear how big this harvest is though, it will most likely affect the Ugandan grain price low. Some maize supply was also delivered via Mutukula to Uganda. The quality is good.

An estimated 200Mt was registered daily via the border post. Good quality maize grain was bought at averagely Ksh.32/kg (Ugx.1120) down from Ksh.33-35/kg previously. Less trading was registered at Busia compared to a fortnight before.

Less beans supply was delivered to Busia border market leading to increasing price for some varieties. Approximately 50Mt of assorted beans were traded daily throughout the week. Beans remain highly priced due to scarcity. Yellow beans were demanded most at Ksh.120/kg (Ugx.4200). Nambale beans cost Ksh.115/kg (Ugx.4025) while red wailimu at Ksh.95/kg (Ugx.3325). Mixed beans cost Ksh.87/kg (Ugx.3345)

Limited supply of newly harvested beans reached Kampala market and were offered at Ugx.4200/kg wholesale price. This supply was traced back from western region in particular Kyegegwa and Kyenjojo. The climax of the opening season is expected in May/June.  Stocks in Kampala market were from the previous harvest which is currently poor quality dry beans ferried from stockiest from Hoima, Mubende, Kiboga and the central region generally. There is not much held with these traders and the market had received beans from Rwanda and Tanzania.

Good quality yellow beans were offered at Ugx.4300-4500/kg while old stock yellow at Ugx.3500-3700/kg. The best quality Short Nambale beans were registered from Hoima at Ugx.4500/kg while old stock Nambale at Ugx.3500-3700/kg. Long Nambale was offered at Ugx.3200-3500/kg wholesale price. Sugar beans (Masavu) and Mixed beans were sold at Ugx.4900/kg and Ugx.2800-3500/kg depending on quality respectively in Kampala markets.

In the northern region, beans were scarce and Gulu market registered higher prices because it received supply from Kampala. Yellow beans were offered at Ugx.6000/kg while Short Nambale at Ugx.4000-4500/kg. Lira prices were cheaper at Ugx.3500-3800/kg. Beans were cheaper in Mbale at Ugx.2800-3000/kg wholesale price.   

Farmgain Africa.

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