To continue the fight against the increase in the cost of living, Côte d’Ivoire has decided to cease its exports of sugar and rice until the end of the year, in a decree published Monday September 18. According to the Ivorian government, this is to secure the supply of these two essential commodities, the prices of which have soared in recent months.
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Up to 15,000 CFA francs per bag of rice, 900 francs per kilo of sugar: in certain markets prices are exploding, according to figures from the Ministry of Commerce. To limit this inflation, exports of rice and sugar are prohibited until December 31, 2023: the price cap will not have been enough.
For rice, this is the consequence of disruptions on the world market. Demand continues to increase and India, which is the world’s leading exporter and primary supplier to Côte d’Ivoire, increases export restrictions since the beginning of the year. This puts many countries in difficulty, including Côte d’Ivoire which imports 60% of its milled rice.
The country therefore decides to secure its local production. This represents a little over a million tonnes per year.
But the government announcement should be put into perspective according to some experts: Ivorian rice exports are marginal – around 31,000 tonnes per year, a drop in the bucket compared to imports.
Although it has stagnated for several years, local production should increase considerably from 2023, according to the government. The 10 rice basins spread across the entire territory will be mobilized.