Uganda is importing Irish potatoes from neighbouring Kenya, as supplies of the produce on the domestic market have dropped. AS a result traders are hiking the prices of the foodstuff to recover transport and other costs.
"Most Irish potatoes being sold on the Ugandan market now come from Kenya," confirms Olivia Nanyonjo, a trader in Nakasero Market in Kampala.
She explains that there has been a decline in supply of the potatoes on the market since late June, because of the prolonged dry spells in most parts of the country, which led to crop failure.
Currently, a medium-size sack from Mbale and Sebei goes for Shs145,000 up from Shs130,000 while a big sack from Kenya is for Shs170,000 up from Shs150,000.
Irish potatoes from Kabale are sold at Shs135,000 a sack up from Shs125,000.
Samuel Lubwama, another trader, says most of the Irish potatoes they sell come from Ssingo in central Uganda. However, because of the drought that hit the area, there is no supply of the produce from there.
Increase in wholesale prices of Irish potatoes has pushed the retail price from Shs1,000 a kilo in June to the current Shs1,800.
"When Irish potatoes from Ssingo come to the market beginning October, the prices are likely to drop," he says.
If there is high supply in the market, the price for a sack could go as low as Shs70,000.
Lubwama points that the customers prefer Kisoro and Kabale Irish potatoes than the other varieties because they remain hard even when they are cooked, and they also have a good aroma.
(1 Ugandan Shilling=0.00030 USD)
