Kinshasa: the demand for maize remains sustained despite a slight rise in prices

Kinshasa, June 1^st, 2026 (CPA).- The demand for maize remains sustained in several markets in Kinshasa, in the Democratic Republic of Congo, despite a slight rise in prices observed in recent days, has indicated on Monday a trader interviewed by CPA during a visit to a trading post. “The demand for maize remains sustained despite a slight rise in prices. The households continue to stock up regularly because it is a staple food,” has declared Mr Jean Mukendi, a seller of staple foods at Gambela market. According to the information gathered, the price of a 100-kilogramme sack of maize has risen from 145,000 to 155,000 Congolese francs in some of the city’s markets, an increase of nearly 6.9%. The traders attribute this situation to transport costs as well as supply difficulties in certain production areas. According to traders, this rise has not yet significantly affected sales volumes, as consumers continue to favour this cereal, which is one of the main staple foods for many families in Kinshasa. The maize is a strategic food crop in the Democratic Republic of Congo. It is used in the preparation of several meals consumed daily across the country and contributes to the food security of millions of households. The stakeholders in the sector hope for an improvement in supply with the arrival of new harvests in the coming weeks.