Bukinanyana : increase in prices of basic necessities due to fuel shortage

In the district of Bukinanyana in the province of Cibitoke (northwest Burundi), the prices of basic necessities continue to increase. According to residents, this increase is much more linked to the fuel shortage.

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Prices of agricultural products have soared.
“A kilogram of rice which cost 3000 francs can now be bought for 4500 francs. A kilogram of beans which was bought at 4000 francs has seen an increase of 1000 Burundi francs. This is also the case for cooking salt and palm oil”, regrets a resident of the town center of the district of Bukinanyana.

This increase in food prices is linked to the fuel shortage, according to some sources.

“It is rare to find gasoline in our town. On the black market, a liter of gasoline costs 12,000 francs while its official price is only 4,200 francs,” explains a driver who adds that the price of the transport ticket also increased.

“For the Rugombo-Bukinanyana trip, you have to pay 20,000 francs whereas previously the ticket was 9,000.”

Residents are faced with the high cost of living which has already undermined their well-being.

“Poverty is gradually spreading to all households and the population no longer knows which way to turn,” he adds with despair.

The Bukinanyana administrator recognizes the facts and admits the scarcity of products such as fuel, sugar and Brarudi products (Burundi Brewery Company). Christian Nkurikiye threatens to severely sanction certain speculative traders who are taking advantage of this moment of shortage of basic necessities to increase prices.

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A marketplace in Bukinanyana, May 2024