Rice, maize flour prices fall in Morogoro

Consumers in Morogoro Municipality, Tanzania, are experiencing a welcome drop in the prices of rice and maize flour. This reduction comes as the local harvest season gets underway in key agricultural areas including Kilosa, Mvomero, and Ifakara districts.

Premium rice, previously selling for between Sh2,800 and Sh3,500 per kilogram, is now available for Sh1,800 to Sh2,500. Similarly, maize flour has seen its price fall from Sh1,300 to Sh1,100 per kilogram.

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Before the harvest season, much of the rice sold in Morogoro came from other regions, which increased transportation costs and pushed prices up. Now farmers in many parts of Morogoro have started harvesting, and I expect prices to fall even further.

Traders attribute the price decrease to increased local supply. Before the harvest, rice often had to be transported from other regions, adding to costs. With farmers now harvesting in Morogoro itself, transportation expenses are reduced, contributing to lower retail prices.

Food vendors are also benefiting. Ms Fatuma Omary, a food vendor, noted that the lower prices allow her to increase food portions for her customers while maintaining her profit margins, a positive outcome for both her business and her clientele.

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I have increased food portions and my customers are happy.