Red cabbages turning over a new leaf

As the rains continue to rage this season, early planters have already started harvesting some of their vegetables – quick growing crops, including cabbages, a popular vegetable in Uganda and around the world. Though still relatively low in supply as Betty Namuyaba, a vendor in Kibuye market notes, the supply is bound to increase and subsequently a fall in prices as we get further into the rainy season.

In major markets like Kibuye and Nakasero, truckloads of cabbage are all over the place during the wee hours of the morning and late evening making delivery.

In a couple supermarkets and stalls around the city, big freshly looking cabbages are on display but more specifically shelving red cabbages which are not as common in the major markets. Their prices are also significantly different.

At St Balikuddembe (formerly Owino) market, a few lorries with sacks of cabbages are packed by the roadside as well as heaps of it poured in a collection with other vegetables on ground as one manoeuvres through the corridors of the busy market.

Prices
At St Balikuddembe Market, a sack of cabbages is between Shs30,000 and Shs35,000 at wholesale prices from the lorries whereas inside the market, the same can be bought between Shs32,000 and Shs40,000 depending on bargaining power. At Nakasero market, a sack is between Shs31,000 and Shs36,000 though this fluctuates depending on the individual vendors.
In major markets of St Balikuddembe, Nakasero and Nakawa, a big cabbage is between Shs3,000 and Shs3,500 while a medium sized cabbage costs Shs2,000 and a small one between Shs600 and Shs1,000.

Noticeably, red cabbages are not in as much supply as the green/white cabbages which Ahmed Sulaiman Kyeyune, a fresh foods trader in Owino market, attributes to the less number of farmers involved in growing the variety.

“The red cabbage is just coming up in the market due to the health benefits the people say it has, so a few farmers are also involved in growing them that is why it is not as plentiful in the market as the green ones. Its market is also growing steadily which is why it is more expensively bought and sold,” he says.

On the other hand, Connie Namubiru a market vendor at Nakasero market, says that the red cabbage is highly sought after by foreigners, a few Ugandans and restaurant owners.

“Whereas a big green cabbage may be sold at around Shs3,000, the big red one goes for more than Shs5,000 because they are scarce yet the demand is there,” she said.

Christopher Lubega, an agronomist, also notes that red cabbage is richer in nutrients compared to the green one.

“On top of having nutrients like calcium, potassium, iron among others, it also has anti-oxidants and glucosinolates which help fight cancer causing agents. And you know how cancer is rampant today, so people are trying to change their lifestyles and diet to lessen chances.
Additionally, doctors are continuously recommending such foods,” he says.
In the supermarkets, a big red cabbage costs between Shs6,500 and 7,000 whereas a mid-sized red cabbage is between Shs4,500 and 5,500. At Nakasero market, a big one ranges between Shs5,000 and 6,500.

Lubega further notes that the red variety is also more pest and disease resistant during its growth and its seedlings/seeds are quite costly.
“They also take longer before full maturity, that is, after 110 days compared to the green which take between 70 and 75 days to be harvested.