Kinshasa, June 26th, 2025 (CPA). –A 25 kg bag of bag of Lion rice from Thailand fell by 4%, from CDF 67,000 to 64,500, or USD 23, on the markets of Kinshasa (capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo) between May 28th and June 26th, 2025, the CPA noted on Thursday. « The price of a 25-kilogram bag of “Lion” rice from Thailand has fallen from CDF 67,000 to CDF 64,500, or USD 23 at a rate of CDF 2,850 per dollar, on the markets of Kinshasa, capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo, during the period from May 28th to June 26th, » said Vicky Sila, a seller at the Cité Verte market in the municipality of Mont-Ngafula. He attributed the decline to the abundance of this product on the market. The prices of other products, such as a 25-litre can of Regina vegetable oil, are also falling in the Matadi-Kibala, Gambela and Zigida markets, currently selling for CDF 127,000, or USD 45, compared to CDF 142,000 previously. The same is true for a box of Maxam toothpaste, 12 pieces with a black band ‘made in DRC’, which used to cost CDF 12,000, now costs CDF 10,650, or USD 4, while Maxam with a blue band costs CDF 11,600, or USD 4. A carton of 24 425-gram tins of ‘African Queen’ canned food from Namibia, which used to cost CDF 11,000, now costs CDF 167,400. ‘ 24 cans of 425 grams from Namibia, which used to cost CDF 168,000, now costs CDF 167,400, or USD 59. A 25-kilogram bag of ’Master » semolina, which used to cost 60,000 FC, now costs CDF 48,000, or USD 17. A 25-kilogram bag of ‘Extra/DRC’ corn semolina, which used to cost CDF 45,000, now costs CDF 43,000, or USD 15 USD. In addition, a five-liter can of ‘Regina DRC’ vegetable oil, which used to cost CDF 34,000, now costs CDF 31,000, or USD 11. A 50-kilogram bag of sugar from Kwilu-Ngongo (Central Kongo), which used to cost CDF 165,500, is now selling for CDF 160,000, or USD 56. A box of 100 ‘Apolo’ light bulbs costing 110,000 FC is now priced at CDF 105,000, equivalent to USD 37. A pack of 48 Moby Baby disposable nappies, which used to sell for CDF 42,000, is now priced at CDF 40,000, equivalent to USD 14.
A carton of Anny sardines costs CDF 105,000, or USD 37, compared to CDF 110,000. a bag of charcoal commonly known as ‘Mikuati’, from the province of Kwilu, is selling for CDF 80,000, or USD 28, compared to CDF 85,000 in the past, and a bag of beans that used to cost USD 240 now costs USD 200, or CDF 570,000. Other products have remained stable, notably a box of 38 margarine sticks, which sells for CDF 50,000, or 17 USD, and a box of 100 ‘Lion’ brand tomatoes from Thailand, which remains at CDF 51,000, or USD 17.89.
Other products on the rise
However, other products have seen price increases, attributed to their scarcity and the multiple taxes owed to the state. These include a 100-kilogram bag of cassava chips from Kwilu province, which used to cost CDF 190,000 and now sells for CDF 240,000, or USD 84, and a 20-kilogram bag of iodized salt from Lufu, has risen from CDF 20,000 to CDF 24,000, or USD 8, a 10-kilogram box of ‘Roni’ spaghetti containing 40 250-gram packets from China, which used to sell for CDF 37,000, is now selling for CDF 39,000, USD 14, a bag of wheat flour from Europe has risen from CDF 108,000 to CDF 110,000, or USD 39.