STAPLE FOOD PRICES REMAIN STABLE AHEAD OF CHRISTMAS

Prices of staple foods have remained steady across the Lake Zone regions despite Christmas and New Year festivals that are approaching.

A survey conducted in five regions in the zone, shows that prices of foodstuffs have remained below Sh1, 000 per kilogramme for the past six months; only prices for children and women wear reportedly showed an increase of over 30 per cent.

In various areas and markets in Mwanza, the price for rice has remained unchanged at Sh1,000 per kilogramme while maize flour also remained below Sh800 per kilogramme.

Mr Robert Chacha, a foodstuff seller at Mwanza Central Market thinks that the price has remained stable due to the large stock that was imported, while his Kirumba counterpart, Mr Joshua Masatu,  admits that the season was excellent because of the good rains.

An economist, Mr Rashid Seif, of Seif Plazza, said it may be too early to assess prices of goods as normally the tough season starts in January.

Explaining why prices are relatively stable this season, the minister for Agriculture, Food Security and Cooperatives, Mr Christopher Chiza, said the Lake Zone regions had the best seasons in 2012/13 that made the country attain over 100 per cent surplus in food production.

“You should start looking for markets in East Africa and elsewhere as beginning next year, you will be allowed to export your produce,” he told farmers during his recent tour of Maswa District.