Posted on November, 8, 2016 at 10:25 am
By Fred Muzaale
The prolonged dry spell in most parts of the country has resulted into crop failure and led to scarcity of vegetables such as cabbages.
Most traders report a short supply of cabbages and a rise in prices.
Sam Kitaka, a vegetable trader, in Nakasero Market, notes the price began rising in late August and reached its peak in mid-October. “With some light rains, the price for cabbages has slightly reduced as more become available,” he notes.
In mid-October, a bag of cabbages was Shs55,000 wholesale price although it is now Shs45,000. “When the wholesale price was at its highest, we sold a big cabbage at Shs5,000 while medium-sized one was at Shs3,500 and a small one at Shs1,500.”
The traders buy a bag of cabbages at Shs45,000 wholesale. At retail, a big cabbage is Shs3,000 while a medium-sized one is Shs2,000 and a small one goes for Shs500-Shs800.
Kitaka says when there is high supply of cabbages, a bag goes as low as Shs15,000. Ronald Basalwa, another vegetable trader in Mukono Market, says most cabbages on the market are from western Uganda, especially Kabale District.
“Kabale is relatively cool, cabbages need plenty of water in order to grow well, farmers can continue growing the vegetable,” he remarks.
“Kabale is the largest commercial cabbage-growing area that feeds the local market. If the supply from Kabale is high, the market price will go down.”
Cabbages need ample constant rain to gain weight, compactness and a longer shelf life after harvest. If the rain is insufficient, the cabbage head is likely to be hollow, soft and light.
The most varieties grown in Uganda include Drum Head, Gloria and Copenhagen Cabbages are also grown on a small scale in central and eastern Uganda.
David Sserwanja, a vegetable farmer in Kayunga District, however, predicts that if the drought persists, the prices of cabbages may rise further, with the festive season around the corner.
Source: Daily Monitor