Prices of foodstuffs expected to stay elevated until June 2024 – GAWU

The General Agriculture Workers Union (GAWU) predicts that food prices will stay elevated until June, coinciding with the commencement of food harvesting. This forecast follows a consecutive six-month decline in food inflation, reaching 27.1% in January 2024.

In an interview with Joy Business, General Secretary Edward Kareweh cautioned that the prices of food are unlikely to improve in the near future.

“Well, the price of food will not get better anytime soon. Looking at the country as a whole, we are entering into or are already in the lean season of production and no part of the country is experiencing harvest of foodstuff, particularly the major samples”.

“If we look at maize, it’s not being harvested anywhere in the country. Similarly, rice is also not being harvested unless those in the irrigation areas”, he added.

He continued saying most parts of the country are not experiencing rainfall.

“Generally speaking, there are no rains throughout the country, and at this time also the Western parts of the country will begin preparation of their farms for the major season”.

“During this season, all the foodstuff we are eating is from last year. So don’t expect food prices to come down now”, he pointed out.

Furthermore, Mr. Kareweh said “we expect that by the middle to the end of March [2024], food prices will go up and stay high like that until we begin to harvest around June/July in the Southern parts of the country”.

Seven divisions recorded inflation rates higher than the national average.

They are Alcoholic Beverages, Tobacco and Narcotics (38.5%); Personal Care, Social Protection and Miscellaneous Goods and Services (32.0%); Restaurants and Accommodation Services (29.2%); Furnishings, Household Equipment and Routine Household Maintenance (27.7%) Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages (27.1%); Health (26.6%) and Recreation, Sports and Culture (24.9%).

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Source/Joybusiness/Accralive.com/Ebenezer Junior Arthur.