By Samuel Balagàdde
The supply gap for locally grown beans has widened with increased prices.
Bean dealers are mainly sourcing them from Tanzania via Mutukula border post at high prices.
The few trucks with beans that surface in Kampala are highly competed for among city dealers.
Moses Mugume, a dealer in beans along Kafumbe Mukasa Road in Kisenyi in said the retail price for various bean species has shot up .
He said this is partly attributed to the transport costs and the high demand.
“Uganda is off season of beans until May when the market is likely to stabilize with reduced prices,” said Mugume.
The retail price for beans ranges between Sh4,300 to Sh6,000 depending on the variety and location.
However Chris Kaijuka the chairman for the Grain Council of Uganda said the country will continue experiencing food shortages as a result of open border policies.
He said other countries restrict export of some goods after citing future supply gaps.
He said the supply gap for foodstuffs has cut across other comedies like Irish potatoes, onions , and tomatoes that are currently sourced from Kenya and Tanzania.
A bag of potatoes that used to cost Sh90,000 in the recent past has now gone to up to Sh135,000.
