Prices of omena also known as Lake Victoria sardines have skyrocketed with regular customers opting out of its consumption as retailers of the commodity shy away from stocking it for fear of losses.
Most customers depend on the retailers in open markets and roadside stalls but the prices have gone up shifting the smallest measure going for Sh50.
The same quantity was before going for Sh20 or Sh30.
A spot-check at retail outlets within Kapenguria Municipality revealed the commodity is expensive, causing some retailers to shelve the sale citing lack of steady customers.
Mercy Barasa who used to stock omena in large quantities said she only gets a small stock because the demand is very low hence she cannot risk investing her money in that business.
She said at the wholesale markets where they used to obtain their stock, it is selling very expensively with a 2kg tin going for over Sh400 unlike before when it used to be half the price.
“Such a cost calls for a heavy investment but for now the customers have shied away because of the small quantity costing highly. I can rarely sell a 2kg tin of omena within a day as it used to be when the prices were low,” Mercy said.
She said a sack, the largest wholesale measure, is going for more than Sh20,000.
“We don’t understand as business people what has caused this huge shift in omen prices,” Mercy said.
Regular consumers are said to have pulled down the fish from their menus with a similar reason for high prices.
Jackline Auma said she has suspended omena from her diet terming it uneconomical because the quantity she used to take with her family used to cost Sh50 but she needs over Sh100 to get the usual measure.
“I would purchase a 2kg tin and use it for three days but that quantity is now unaffordable based on my income. Omena has been my cheapest source of proteins but I better go for beef because the cost has remained the same,” she said.
Many consumers said the smallest quantity on the retail market now goes for Sh50 can rarely be sufficient to feed one person hence quite illogical, especially for those with larger families.
They said they preferred omena to other fishes to boost their nutrition because it is cheap and can be stocked for longer periods without getting spoiled.
“Once omena is well dried it is less perishable and it can go for several months. Sometimes it comes in handy in case of emergencies when one fails to get other recipes because of daily commitments,” Betty Chebet said.
She said deep-fried or well-sundried omena can be stored for 3 months without getting expired.
