DistantNews
Support us
🇨🇩 DR Congo /Economy & Trade

Kindu: Vegetable scarcity causes prices to surge amid dry season | Radio Okapi (CD)

From Radio Okapi · () French

Translated from French, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Context piece
  • Vegetable scarcity in Kindu, Democratic Republic of Congo, has caused prices to soar during the dry season.
  • Staple foods like cassava leaves (sombé) have seen prices increase dramatically, straining household budgets.
  • Families are forced to alter diets, raising concerns about nutrition, especially for children.

Kindu, the capital of the Maniema province in the Democratic Republic of Congo, is grappling with severe hardship as the dry season intensifies. Local markets are experiencing a drastic shortage of vegetables, leading to a sharp increase in prices that further complicates the lives of many families. The reporter observed this trend on Thursday, July 9.

I'm buying three bundles of sombé for 5,000 francs, it's incredible but true. May God help us; for those of us with large families, how will we survive?

— Jeanne AsakambaA mother of a family at the RVA market describes her struggle to afford basic food items.

Cassava leaves, known as sombé and a dietary staple for numerous households, are among the most affected products. Just weeks ago, three bundles sold for between 1,000 and 1,500 Congolese francs. Today, they can cost up to 5,000 francs. At the RVA market, shoppers struggle to cope with the rising costs. "I'm buying three bundles of sombé for 5,000 francs, it's incredible but true. May God help us; for those of us with large families, how will we survive?" lamented Jeanne Asakamba, a mother of a family.

Vendors attribute this situation directly to the drought, which has devastated a significant portion of crops in production areas. "The sombé in the fields have dried up. It's hard to find even a single sack. We ourselves are buying at very high prices," explained one merchant. Other green vegetables, such as amaranth, are also becoming increasingly scarce. This reduced supply places additional pressure on household purchasing power, which is already weakened by the rising cost of living.

The sombé in the fields have dried up. It's hard to find even a single sack. We ourselves are buying at very high prices.

— a merchantA vendor explains the scarcity and increased cost of cassava leaves due to drought.

For many heads of households, the price hikes are becoming unbearable. Some report that they can no longer afford to provide balanced meals for their children. "For us who live day-to-day, 10,000 francs was enough. I am a mason. Where will I find 20,000 or 30,000 francs a day? It's complicated," said one Kindu resident. Faced with these challenges, many families are reducing their vegetable consumption or substituting them with less expensive foods. This shift raises concerns about the nutritional quality of meals, particularly for children. The traditional Kindu dish of fufu with sombé, once affordable for all, is increasingly becoming a luxury.

For us who live day-to-day, 10,000 francs was enough. I am a mason. Where will I find 20,000 or 30,000 francs a day? It's complicated.

— an inhabitant of KinduA resident expresses the difficulty of meeting daily expenses with the rising cost of living.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Radio Okapi in French. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog