French fries prices hit new high on scarcity

Kenyans are paying more for French fries with some eateries opting to reduce quantities served per plate.

A survey of some popular eateries shows a plateful of chips, as they are commonly referred to, is selling at between Sh100 and Sh120, up from a range of Sh80 and Sh100. A relatively upscale outlet along Moi Avenue is charging Sh150 per plate from Sh120.

According to the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS), red and white Irish potato prices have increased by 22 percent with a kilo going for over Sh73 due to scarcity.

Agriculture Food Authority said in September a 110 kilogramme sack of red Irish cost Sh3,976 and Sh4,044 for white Irish potatoes, from January’s Sh2,295 and Sh2,419 respectively.

Tomatoes experienced the highest drop in the year to retail at Sh3,463 per 64-kilogramme crate, down from an all-time high of Sh11,510 recorded last June.

Popular green vegetables (kales) were selling at Sh1,168 per 50 kilogramme sack down from Sh1,642 in January.

A fall in Kenya’s staple food maize where dry maize is selling for Sh2,108 down from the year’s high in January at Sh2,806 has also precipitated a fall in a 2kilogramme packet of maize flour from Sh109 last January to the current recommended price of Sh75.

Green maize popular with Githeri lovers and maize roasters, boilers is now selling at Sh2,200 per 115 kilogramme extended back down from January’s Sh3,276.

Cowpeas are now selling at Sh5,711 from January’s Sh8,013 while prices of Dolichos (Njahi) has also fallen to Sh7,297 from this year’s high of Sh8,568 registered last June.

A 13 kilogramme sack of dry onions is retailing at S931 down from last January’s Sh1,566.