Uganda: Irish potato shortage increases prices

Uganda is importing Irish potatoes from neighbouring Kenya, as supplies of the produce on the domestic market have dropped. As a result traders are hiking the prices of the foodstuff to recover transport and other costs. “Most Irish potatoes being sold on the Ugandan market now come from Kenya,” confirms Olivia Nanyonjo, a trader in Nakasero Market in Kampala. She explains that there has been a decline in supply of the potatoes on the market since late June, because of the prolonged dry spells in most parts of the country, which led to crop failure. Samuel Lubwama, another trader, says most of the Irish potatoes they sell come from Shingo in central Uganda. However, because of the drought that hit the area, there is no supply of the produce from there. More