Farmers count losses as matooke prices drop

Matooke farmers in Kabarole District and Fort Portal City have suffered substantial losses following a sharp drop in prices.

Matooke is a major cash crop in the region but since late May, farmers have reported a bumper harvest, forcing the prices to drop.

The farm gate price of a large size bunch of matooke is now between Shs5,000 and Shs7,000, down from between Shs25,000 and Shs30,000.

Medium-sized bunches of matooke that previously sold for between Shs15,000 and Shs20,000 are now fetching Shs2,000 to Shs4,000.

Matooke dealers in markets around…