Residents of Tooro, Ankole, and Kigezi regions are facing a sharp increase in the price of matooke, with costs tripling since the peak harvest season in June and July. Where a bunch of matooke used to sell for between Shs5,000 and Shs7,000, prices have now surged to between Shs30,000 and Shs35,000, with some places like Rwebisengo in Ntoroko District seeing prices exceed Shs50,000 per bunch. The spike is mainly attributed to a prolonged drought that has severely affected banana plantations, leading to reduced production and supply. Additionally, middlemen from central Uganda buying in bulk and paying farmers in advance have limited the availability of matooke in local markets.
The price hike has strained consumers who are forced to alter their diets, substituting matooke with alternatives such as rice, posho, or Irish potatoes. Traders also face difficulties as high prices deter customers; some report that demand has dropped, especially as many turn to cheaper food options. The situation is particularly acute in non-producing areas where matooke must be transported from distant districts, further adding to costs. In urban centers like Fort Portal City, traders source matooke from rural areas, but rising purchase prices are squeezing profit margins.
This steep increase in matooke prices highlights the vulnerability of Uganda’s agricultural sector to climatic challenges and market pressures. Addressing these issues will require coordinated efforts among farmers, traders, and policymakers to stabilize prices and safeguard food security for communities dependent on this staple crop.