The Ivorian ministries of Commerce, Budget and Economy produced a decree at the start of the week Monday, September 16, to set a new ceiling price for several commodities, subject to strong tensions in recent days on the market. This mainly concerns rice, which had become scarce in stores and whose price has skyrocketed.
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With our correspondent in Abidjan, Bineta Diagne
Now, a 22.50 kg bag of rice ranges between 10,750 and 14,150 FCFA, depending on the brand. This price takes into account the situation on the international market.
At the origin of this new measure, an observation: 40% of rice is imported from India. However, this country has suspended the export of rice since July. Result: the product became rare on the market and its price skyrocketed.
According to Aimé Koizan, the director of internal trade, the new scales were set in agreement with the operators. “ Purchasing prices, even those internationally, are up to 40% higher. But with the operators we managed to agree on an average increase of 10%. »
This decree will be communicated to importers, wholesalers and supermarkets. Sector players want to be reassuring: bags of rice are still available on the markets.
“ The stock that is there today can allow us [de tenir] for three to four months and without having supply difficulties. When this period of crisis is over, we will also put local production on the table », Promises Soumahoro Ben N’Faly, president of the consumers’ association.
Local rice production amounts to around 1.1 million tonnes per year. But the needs of the Ivorians are enormous. The country imports nearly 1.5 million tonnes of rice each year to meet demand.
Read alsoIndia continues to fuel tensions in the rice market