Kinshasa, June 28th, 2026 (CPA).- The price of a net of imported European garlic has increased by 10% on markets across Kinshasa, capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), rising from CDF 50,000 to CDF 55,000, according to a mini-survey conducted by CPA on Sunday.
« A net of garlic has increased from CDF 50,000 to CDF 55,000, or approximately USD 24 at an exchange rate of CDF 2,300 per dollar, representing a 10% increase on Kinshasa markets between May 19th and June 27th, 2026, » said Rose Lukaya, a spice vendor at Liberté Market in Masina Municipality.
According to her, the increase in garlic prices, along with other widely consumed food products, is due to seasonal shortages, higher transportation costs and additional expenses incurred in production areas. She explained that other products have also recorded price increases, including a box of black pepper, which now sells for CDF 10,700 (USD 4.65), compared with CDF 9,000 previously; a bunch of parsley, which has risen from CDF 8,000 to CDF 8,500 (USD 3.69); a crate of eggplants locally known as « solo », which has increased from CDF 160,000 to CDF 165,000 (USD 71.73); and a carton of Lion canned tomatoes, now sold at CDF 38,500 (USD 16.73), compared with CDF 38,000 previously. Ms. Lukaya further noted that a net of imported European onions has increased from CDF 85,000 to CDF 88,000 (USD 38), while a basin of tomatoes from Mbanza-Ngungu, in Kongo Central Province, now sells for CDF 175,000 (USD 76), compared with CDF 170,000 previously. Meanwhile, Nadine Ebongo, another spice vendor interviewed at Gambela Market in Kasa-Vubu Municipality, said that a sack of carrots now costs CDF 95,000 (USD 41), compared with CDF 85,000 previously, while a sack of cucumbers has risen from CDF 152,000 to CDF 155,000 (USD 67).
Prices decline for some products
Conversely, the survey recorded a 9% decrease in the price of a net of peppers from Kimpese, in Kongo Central Province, which fell from CDF 160,000 to CDF 145,000 (USD 63).
According to Anael Kaboto, a vendor interviewed at Zigida Market in Kinshasa Municipality, the decline is attributable to seasonal abundance and the appreciation of the Congolese franc nationwide. Other products recording price reductions include a crate of bell peppers from Kongo Central, which dropped from CDF 205,000 to CDF 195,000 (USD 84.78); a bowl of white pepper, down from CDF 10,500 to CDF 9,000 (USD 3.90); a bundle of chives, locally known as « Ndembi », from Kimwenza in Mont-Ngafula Municipality, whose price declined from CDF 55,000 to CDF 45,000 (USD 19); and a sack of cabbages, which fell from CDF 100,000 to CDF 90,000 (USD 39).
Prices remain stable for other ingredients
« The prices of several other ingredients have remained stable because supplies remain abundant on the market, » explained Lucien Mukamba, a trader at Matadi Kibala Market in Mont-Ngafula Municipality. He indicated that a bunch of celery from the Batéké Plateau still sells for CDF 5,000 (USD 2); a carton of 36 Jumbo Simple seasoning cubes remains at CDF 6,000 (USD 2.60); a sack of lemons is stable at CDF 80,000 (USD 34); a sack of cloves imported from China continues to sell for CDF 100,000 (USD 43); while a 15-kilogram net of onions from Boma, in Kongo Central Province, remains priced at CDF 30,000 (USD 13).