Food prices up in Tanzania

Dar es Salaam. The government cited yesterday unfavourable weather and increased exports to neighbouring nations as two major causes contributing to the skyrocketing food costs.

Deputy Minister for Investment, Industry and Trade, Mr Exaud Kigahe told reporters yesterday that the government continues to monitor the situation before taking measures that will ensure reasonable supply of food and reduce the inflationary pressure.

According to Mr Kigahe, the trend in price growth indicates that some products have increased as a result of the fall in production during the agricultural season of 2021/22.

He mentioned some of the food items whose prices have increased as maize, maize flour, rice, beans, potatoes, wheat flour, sugar and cooking oil, adding that the produces have been affected by shortage of rains during the agriculture season.

“The government continues to monitor this trend of rising food prices and if there are regions which face shortages, we will use our national reserve and sell at a lower price. We warn the businessmen not to take advantage of the shortage and raise prices,” he stressed.

Mr Kigahe said the price of maize has increased to Sh1,890 per kilogram from Sh1,500 per kilogram in November while rice increased from Sh3,200 per kilo to Sh3,500. Potatoes in Dar es Salaam, Njombe and Mbeya the price per kilogram increased to Sh1,875 from Sh688 in the previous month.

The other items whose prices increased are sugar from Sh2,600 per kilo to Sh3,000 while cooking oil is sold at Sh7,750 per litre up from Sh4,500.

Mr Kigahe said the cost of building supplies including iron sheeting, cement, and steel has not changed.

“We urge local governments to set up markets so that international businesses can purchase the goods through markets rather than directly from farmers,” he said.

The minister declared that in order to safeguard the interests of farmers, traders, and consumers alike, the government will assess the costs of significant produce.

“I want to exhort businesspeople to assist the government’s initiatives to grow the economy for the benefit of all citizens by conducting themselves honestly,” he noted.