By Rosemary Tukundane
There has been a sharp rise in Irish potato prices in the central region of Uganda.
Irish potatoes are mainly brought into the city from Kisoro, Kabale, Kenya, Ssingo and Mbale and these are mostly purchased by chips makers because of their hard nature.
For the Kenyan Irish potatoes, a small bag has increased from sh90,000 to sh150,000
Those from Kisoro a big bag has increased from sh160,000 to sh260,000
Ssingo Irish potatoes are up from sh150,000-250,000.
The price rise has been attributed to a shortage of Singo Irish potatoes which are maturing next season making Kisoro and Kenya so expensive.
Katusabe Anna, a Kasanga-based dealer said that Irish potato prices have never risen so fast as they have done this season.
“Before, I would buy a bag of Irish potatoes at sh90,000 with transport of sh5,000 and get profit of sh50,000 and could sell like two bags a day.
She added that even track men who bring Irish potatoes to Kisenyi market can sell a bag that contains very tiny sizes and damaged leading losses to market vendors.
