Kinshasa, May 25th, 2026 (CPA).- An 18% increase in the price of a carton of “Wilki” chicken, weight 12 and containing 10 pieces, imported from Turkey, was observed on Monday in markets across Kinshasa, capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo, during the period from May 1st to 25th, 2026. “A carton of ‘Wilki’ chicken, weight 12 and containing 10 pieces, imported from Turkey, has recorded a price increase, rising from CDF 115,000 to CDF 136,000, equivalent to USD 59 at the exchange rate of CDF 2,300 to one US dollar, in Kinshasa markets during the period from May 1st to 25th,2026,” said Ben Katende, a trader at one of the cold storage facilities at Matadi Kibala market in Mont-Ngafula municipality. According to him, the increase is attributed to several factors, including the scarcity of these products on the markets.
Other products also on the rise
“This increase does not concern only ‘Wilki’ chicken, but also affects other frozen products,” he specified. These include a carton of Protopterus fish, commonly known as “Mungusu,” which rose from CDF 60,000 to CDF 65,000, equivalent to USD 28; a carton of pork sternum, previously sold at CDF 52,000 and now at CDF 62,000, equivalent to USD 27, compared to CDF 47,500 earlier; while a carton of pangasius fish known as “Malangwa” is selling at CDF 55,000, equivalent to USD 24, compared to CDF 42,000 previously. A 20-kilogram carton of horse mackerel fish “20+,” commonly called “Thomson,” has also recorded a price increase, rising from CDF 205,000 to CDF 208,000, equivalent to USD 90. Meanwhile, a 20-kilogram carton of “TS” meat imported from Brazil is selling at CDF 345,000, equivalent to USD 150, compared to CDF 315,000 previously. A carton of beef cheek nuts, previously sold at CDF 105,000, now costs CDF 109,000, equivalent to USD 47. A 10-kilogram carton of “Palmali” chicken, commonly called “Nus,” containing 8 to 9 pieces, rose from CDF 69,000 to CDF 70,000, equivalent to USD 30.43. Among chicken products, a 10-kilogram carton of boiling chicken legs is currently sold at CDF 50,000, equivalent to USD 21, compared to CDF 48,000 previously. A carton of chicken pieces commonly called “Mikongo,” brand Carcase, increased from CDF 30,000 to CDF 32,000, equivalent to USD 14, while the Food Today brand is sold at CDF 40,000, equivalent to USD 17, compared to CDF 38,800 previously.
Decline in some frozen products
Frozen foods
During the survey, Mr. Jupsie Walter, a vendor at one of the cold storage facilities at UPN market in Ngaliema municipality, noted that some frozen products have recorded price decreases due to their abundance on the market, the suspension of value-added tax (VAT), and the reduction of taxes and duties on certain essential food products decided by the government. He said that the price of a carton of pig’s feet, commonly known as “Makoso,” dropped from CDF 51,000 to CDF 42,500, equivalent to USD 18. A carton of “AB” chicken legs is sold at CDF 73,500, equivalent to USD 32, compared to CDF 78,000 previously. Pork ribs now cost CDF 70,000, equivalent to USD 30, compared to CDF 88,000 previously. A 15-kilogram carton of “lips” meat, commonly called “Mbanga,” imported from Europe, is currently sold at CDF 106,000, equivalent to USD 46, compared to CDF 120,000 previously. A carton of croaker fish, commonly known as “Malua,” which previously cost CDF 125,000, now sells at CDF 105,000, equivalent to USD 45.65.
A carton of so-called “pork mask” meat is currently sold at CDF 52,000, equivalent to USD 22, compared to CDF 57,000 previously. A carton of red mullet fish, commonly called “Mabundu,” dropped from CDF 128,000 to CDF 120,000, equivalent to USD 52. A 9-kilogram carton of salted fish is currently negotiated at CDF 185,000, equivalent to USD 80, compared to CDF 195,000 previously, while a carton of “Ngolo” fish now costs CDF 49,000, equivalent to USD 21, compared to CDF 57,000 earlier.
Stability of some frozen products
Other products have remained stable, including a carton of tilapia fish sold at CDF 52,000, equivalent to USD 22; a carton of French fries at CDF 52,000, equivalent to USD 22; a carton of “Perdix” chicken gizzards at CDF 63,100, equivalent to USD 27; as well as a carton of turkey tails at CDF 68,000, equivalent to USD 29.