Gitega : prices have become unaffordable

Several families in the city of Gitega (political capital) are unable to attend Christmas and New Year markets. All products have experienced an excessive increase in prices, leaving residents unable to obtain goods they need.

INFO SOS Médias Burundi

Our reporter took a tour of the central market of Gitega. He noticed an extraordinary price increase. A bunch of bananas that cost 20,000 francs is currently sold at 35,000, a kg of colocasia goes from 2,000 to 2,400 francs, cassava from 1,100 to 1,500 francs, a kg of simple beans from 3,500 francs to 3,800, the Kinure variety being set at 4,000 per kg and the Muhoro variety having seen an increase of 1,000 francs, going from 4,000 francs to 5,000.

Rice, which is a staple food for families in cities in Burundi, alongside beans, has also seen an excessive price increase. A kg of locally produced rice goes from 3,600 to 5,000 francs, that imported from Tanzania, which is very popular, from 6,000 to 7,200 francs for the same quantity. As for meat, it has become inaccessible for almost all households. A single kg sells for 30,000, with an increase of 5,000 francs. The price of cooking oil has also increased significantly. A 10-liter can of cottonseed oil sells for 125,000 francs, having increased by 25,000 in a few days. A kg of onions, the price of which has doubled, is bought for 4,000.

Many families say they are unable to stock up on food for the end-of-year celebrations. They speak of an “unbearable” situation.

Part of the Gitega market where tomatoes, onions and eggplants are notably sold, December 2024 (SOS Médias Burundi)

It is not only food that is unaffordable for residents of Gitega. Shirts, pants, and shoes have also seen their prices rise over the last two months. Our reporter noticed that a pair of shoes for children aged between 7 and 12 years currently costs 60,000. Its price has doubled. Jeans are sold at 80,000 instead of 50,000 while the price of a shirt goes from 30,000 to 50,000 francs.

Traders who spoke to SOS Médias Burundi blame the lack of foreign currency and the fuel shortage that has lasted almost four years in the small East African nation.

They fear a worsening of the situation because no measures are possible to get out of the generalized crisis in which Burundi is plunged.

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Sellers of bananas at the Gitega market, December 2024 (SOS Médias Burundi)