Bujumbura — The price of beans has suddenly risen today in all markets throughout Bujumbura. A kilogramme of beans of the yellow variety previously cost 650 francs, but the price has now increased to 950 francs.

The price of the variety called Kirundo has also increased by 60 francs. Stocks of beans in the central markets are empty. Following harsh weather, the yield of this year's harvest of beans was unusually low.

The price of beans normally drops during this period of the year, the time in which the beans are harvested. Beans are now imported from Uganda. Tanzania has put some restriction on the exportation of its beans after Burundian authorities removed customs fees on food products imported from abroad.

This sudden rise in the price of beans has also caused the prices of other staple foods such as potatoes and cassava to rise slightly as the demand for them has increased. Beans constitute the primary source of nourishment for the average Burundian.