Fatshimetrie, September 12, 2024 – A new culinary adventure is taking shape on the Kisangani market, Tshopo province in the Democratic Republic of Congo, as the price of a bunch of chives (Ndembi) drops significantly. Dropping from 40,000 to 25,000 FC, this aromatic vegetable brings happiness to the inhabitants thanks to the abundance offered by the territories of Isangi, Opala, Basoko and Banalia.
Mrs. Fatoumata Bileta, a chive seller at the UAT market, is delighted with this recent price drop, attributed to the commitment of the territories mentioned in the cultivation of chives. The whalers, responsible for unloading bags of this precious vegetable every Thursday, thus contribute to the constant supply of the Kisangani markets.
Residents, like Thérèse Sanga, express satisfaction with this situation, recalling a period of shortage when the price of chives was so high that they had to turn to other alternatives, such as garlic, to season their dishes. Today, with chives once again abundant, culinary diversity is regaining its place in Kisangani homes.
However, behind this drop in price, lie the consequences of the conflict between the Mbole and Lengola communities, which emptied the commune of Lubunga of many farmers. Once a provider of food, the region has had to face an agricultural exodus, impacting the supply of chives in Kisangani.
Chives, an aromatic plant from the Amaryllidaceae family, offer much more than its delicate flavor. Rich in vitamin K, essential for bone health, it is proving to be a valuable ingredient in local gastronomy.
In short, this drop in the price of chives in Kisangani represents not only a financial relief for households, but also the revival of a culinary tradition that binds residents to their land. As the market comes alive with the excitement of trade, the intoxicating smell of chives floats in the air, promising new flavors and rich taste discoveries to lovers of Congolese cuisine.
Daily life resumes its course, carried by the fresh breath of this price reduction, offering the residents of Kisangani the opportunity to rediscover and appreciate at its true value this taste treasure that is chives.