Christmas occasion triggered high food prices in Dar markets

SOME food commodities and other products were sold at high prices at most of the Dar es Salaam markets due to a high demand by customers who flocked in various markets during Christmas celebrations which ended last Monday, the survey by this writer has established. Food commodities mostly affected were those normally preferred during special religious occasions and big festivities such as rice, meat, beans and other consumables. The high prices of such foodstuffs are normally characterized by a high demand by potential customers. The survey can reveal that, there was a sudden increase of the retail price of rice, the most delicious and preferred cereal food by people which was fetched at between Tsh. 1,900 and Tsh. 2,600 a kilogram depending on the best quality type compared to the previous price of Tsh. 1,200 and Tsh. 1,600. Most traders at some the markets like Gongo la Mboto, Buguruni, Ilala and Tandika complained of the sudden rise as was due to the finished stock of the commodity from most of these markets which is sold in a wholesale price. However, the cause of this scarcity which comes from Mbeya was not yet immediately established. Other sources from the market said that, some unscrupulous traders bought rice in bulk one months ago and preserved it for hiking as they knew for sure the high demand of the commodity could come during Christmas occasion.


It is now upon the buyers to decide whether to buy these commodities or not. The habit of spreading down food commodities mostly condiments in pavements for sale at Kariakoo market has become the order of the day, despite of the authorities concerned to suppress the move, seemingly most petty traders have turned a blind eye and remain defiant to such orders, like these traders who were caught outside the market with their merchandise spread on the ground close to a sewer water trench which gives horrible smell in a situation that pose a health risk to consumers of their goods.


The survey last Saturday and Sunday has shown that, the price of beef at most butcheries in those city markets was so exorbitant and unaffordable to ordinary people of low income earners. A kilogram of ordinary meat was fetched at Tsh. 6,000 instead of Tsh. 4,500. Steak meet was fetched at Tsh. 7,000 instead of Tsh. 6,000. This is wonderful, “one buyer grimaced in disgust ” At Kariakoo meat butcheries, the prices of a kilogram of goat meat remained the same as that one of a steak meat at Tsh. Between Tsh. 6,500 and Tsh. 7,000 respectively. Meat sellers said during the interviews that, prices had risen because the supply of cows at Pugu auction mart had risen suddenly for the last five days prior to Christmas occasion, citing lack of reliable transportation from inland regions. Interviewed customers expressed their disappointment on the issue of high meat prices saying that, there has been a growing habit by few butchery owners who are fond of rising meat prices during religious festivities taking an advantage of the fact that, most people do like to eat meat during such occasions. 'This is a normal thing as they take the occasion as a lope hole to let their businesses move” said one lady who identified herself as mama Iddi. He told this paper at Gongo La Mboto market. However, she asked for the government's intervention to stop such a menace. Cornered by the writer of this news was the secretary of a market organization of Buguruni market, Said Habibu said in an interview that, the business trend at his market during the Christmas occasion had been influenced by supply and demand both of which have been increased simultaneously causing the prices to increase too high. He said the change in the market business trend had been basically affected due to Christmas occasion, but when the occasion is over, prices will go down in a normal trend. Some traders at Buguruni market cited the increased transportation costs from upcountry regions was another cause for price increase Fatuma Selemani, a customer who was at the market shopping for Christmas goods condemned the price hike saying the move would worsen the economic hardship now facing the people. Some businessmen at Ilala market said the slight change of the prices in this Christmas occasion was posing a danger to their undertakings. “If prices will continue to go up, I don't think people will afford to buy food” he said added that, this time around money is scarce, lamented one trader who identified himself by one name choma. Apart from food commodities, survey shows that, major shopping centres in the city found extensive displays of goods but with virtually isolated purchases done. In an exclusive interview with the Business Times most traders expressed their disappointment of their static stocks this year's Christmas occasion with others blaming the low purchases that are mainly due to financial squeeze. It is always a normal thing to hear traders complain that business is low and that they could hardly make a profit per day. This is a secret of every business persons as no one wants his/her revenues known by others. One shopkeeper maintained that, many customers were going for shopping in cheap selling items and to other shops which sells second hand materials that provides an alternative shopping mall. Another shop attendant who identified herself by only one name as Lukia, said that the business had resolved to lower prices and giving special discounts to bulk purchases in order to attract buyers but to no avail. A petty trader, Augustine Swai (20) who was selling Christmas cards and other decorations in a makeshift kiosk situated at Jangwani area in Kariakoo suburb, equally lamented saying he had lowered the price to sell off his cards to an affordable and give away price. He said he had to reduce the price of a bunch of cards of 4x6 inches from the original Tsh. 8,000 to Tsh. 5,000 and others with a relatively reasonable discount. However, a bunch of hawkers cornered by the writer refurbishing their stocks from the wholesalers and retailers at Kariakoo market said most buyers were shunning high prices in these shops and prefers to buy their items more cheaply from street vendors.