Kumasi – Food prices in the major and satellite markets in the Kumasi Metropolis, have generally remained stable over the past few weeks, despite the recent increases in lorry fares across the country.
A market survey conducted by the Ghana News Agency in Kumasi has indicated that prices of most vegetables and foodstuffs, which are in abundance in the markets, have remained the same for some time now, and in some markets, even cheaper.
At the Bantama, Asafo and Abinkyi markets, where a team of GNA reporters visited on Monday and Tuesday this week, a bunch of medium-sized plantain, which is now scarce in the markets, ranges from GHC15.00 to GHC25.00.
Four medium sizes of fresh yam (Pona) is selling at GHC10.00.
However, prices of mini bags of other root and tuber crops such as cassava and cocoyam, have gone up slightly, ranging from GHC96.00 to GHC100.00.
Madam Abenaa Antwiwaa, who sells cocoyam and cassava at the Bantama market, said prices of cocoyam, cassava and other tubers, always become slightly high, during the new yam season, which were associated with a bumper harvest.
This in her view, she explained, was because the farmers did not want the food crops to flood the markets to force the prices to be very low.
“This is to protect their business,” she added.
Prices of vegetables such as carrots, cucumber, cabbage, garden eggs and other leafy vegetables are generally very cheap and affordable.
The same goes for pepper, both green and red, with “Olonka” of each going for GHC4.00.
A bag of onion has however, gone up to GHC300.00 from GHC260.00.
Prices of tomatoes and okra are generally becoming cheap, with a medium-sized basket going between GHC20.00 and GHC30.00, as compared to GHC50.00 of the same quantity about a month ago.
For grains and cereals, millet is sold at GHC280.00 per bag, while the ‘olonka’ is going for GHC9.00.
Wheat is sold at GHC280 per bag, with ‘olonka’ going for GHC7.00.
Local rice (Asante moo), 50KG sold at GHC196.00 per bag, with a cup is going for GHC2.50ps.
Maize is selling at GHC203.00 per bag, with ‘olonka’ going for GHC8.00.
Prices of frozen fish, ‘Kpanla’ is sold for GHC60.00 for a five kilogramme weight, and red fish goes for GHC90.00 for a five kilogramme weight depending on the size and type.
