Price surge : Bururi and Rumonge in difficulty

From Bururi to Rumonge, in southwest Burundi, a spectacular increase in food prices is putting residents under strain, especially low-income households. Rice, beans, meat and products from Brarudi (Burundi Brewery Company) are experiencing unprecedented price increases, such that the administration is trying to limit speculation. INFO SOS Médias Burundi

Residents speak of a price surge that is weighing heavily.

Top-quality rice is now sold at 5,500 francs per kilogram, compared to 5,000 last month. This same product was sold between 2,500 and 3,000 francs during the end-of-year holidays the previous year, indicating an increase of almost double in one year. As for beans, all varieties combined, prices currently fluctuate between 3,500 and 4,500 francs per kilogram, compared to 2,900 to 3,500 last month.
Corn flour is not immune to this dizzying increase. It went from 2,000 per kilogram at Christmas of 2023 to 3,200 francs this year, recording an increase of 1,200 francs in just twelve months.

Although Bururi is not a cassava-producing region, the impact is being felt. Akambaranga cassava is at 1,700 per kg and the white variety reaches 2,500 francs. These products, once accessible to low-income families, are no longer within their reach. The situation does not spare other basic foodstuffs. A bunch of bananas, sold for 10,000 last year at Christmas, now costs 20,000 francs. Meat, once very popular for celebrations, is now prohibitively expensive : a kilo of steak costs 25,000 francs.

Disparities by location

In the town center of the district of Matana, prices are not much better. Rice costs 5,000 francs per kilogram, beans 4,000 francs, potatoes 2,600 francs, and corn flour 3,200 francs. A liter of oil costs 16,000 francs.

In Rumonge, the price hike is just as alarming. Rice of Burundian origin sells for between 3,900 and 4,500 francs per kilogram, while the Tanzanian variety costs 5,500. Beans vary between 3,900 and 4,000 francs, and potatoes have climbed to 3,500 francs, compared to 3,000 just two weeks ago. Meat fluctuates between 21,000 and 24,000 francs per kilogram.

Faced with this situation, many residents are calling on the government to take strong measures to control food prices and mitigate the impact on the most vulnerable households.

Shortage of Brarudi products and sanctions against speculators

In addition, the shortage of Brarudi products is exacerbating difficulties in Rumonge. Three hotels located in the town center of the Magara zone, in the district of Bugarama, were fined 3 million Burundi francs each for speculation on these products. According to police sources, these facilities exploited the situation to charge exorbitant prices.

Despite the efforts of the administration authorities to enforce compliance with official prices, residents remain skeptical about the sustainability of these measures in a context of shortage. They urge Brarudi to increase its production in order to meet demand and stabilize the market.

A critical situation

The surge in prices in Bururi and Rumonge reflects an economic and social crisis that weighs heavily on households. The mobilization of public and private actors is essential to find sustainable solutions and preserve the purchasing power of Burundians. In the meantime, the Christmas and New Year holidays are marked by deprivation for many families.