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The Nairobi Basket
Each week, our correspondent visits the same shop to buy five of the staple items found in the typical Nairobi shopping basket.
The price rises and falls will be tracked and contribute to the World Food Price Index.
- Maize flour (2kg)
- Milk (500ml)
- Bread (500g)
- Tomatoes (1kg)
- Green Maize (1kg)
Peter Greste in Nairobi writes:
Nairobi runs on maize. As with most of Africa, the ubiquitous white cob is the most basic staple.
But the fertile volcanic soils of the central highlands also produce a huge array of horticultural produce - most of it exported to Europe, along with tea, coffee and fresh flowers. Kenya's other big foreign exchange earner is tourism.
Nairobi its self is the regional hub for East Africa, hosting aid agencies, the United Nations and multinational businesses like General Electric, Google and Coca Cola.
The economy is booming, but there is also a vast wealth gap between the well-healed business sector, and the millions who live in Kibera - one of the largest slums in Africa.
The Graph
Lines not visible on the graph are hidden behind green maize and have remained unchanged.
